Chiz Is Out ESCUDERO SAYS HE’S NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

by Hannah Torregoza

Manila Bulletin

January 10, 2014 (updated)

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has announced that he will no longer run for president and that he is contented with being a senator.

Escudero, who was one of the senators who aspired to join the presidential race in 2010, said he is no longer even aspiring for it in the future.

“I’m on my last term (of office) and just doing my job, my mandate. I’m quite satisfied with where I am right now, with my professional and personal life,” Escudero told reporters in an interview.

The senator categorically admitted he’s not eyeing the post and no preparations are being done for the presidential elections which is just two years away.

“There’s none,” he said in answer to reporters’ query.

It has been public knowledge that the senator and television and movie actress Heart Evangelista are currently romantically involved. Speculations are rife the two are already engaged and are planning to get married.

While some politicians are openly hinting their presidential bid for 2016, Escudero said he is not even grooming himself as a possible successor of President Benigno Aquino III.

“I’m not getting additional staff (members) or doing anything that has something to do with the next round or any elections in the future,” he said. “Like I said, I’m happy where I am professionally and personally. I could not ask for anything more,” he added.

During the last quarter of 2009, the senator insinuated his presidential ambitions after he decided to resign from his last political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). The NPC then was already grooming him as standard bearer for the 2010 elections.

After his resignation from the party, Escudero called for a press conference to announce his decision to abandon his presidential ambition saying that the timing is not right for him.