Press Release
November 21, 2009

'Good luck,' Loren tells Chiz

Senator Loren Legarda said today that she will not be dragged into any "battle" with Senator Francis Escudero should he decide to also run for vice president in next year's election, stressing that "my fight is against hunger, poverty and climate change."

"People speak of betrayal, but I have already forgiven Chiz for leaving us at the Nationalist Peoples' Coalition (NPC) hanging in mid-air. I decided to give way to him so he can run for president, but then he had chosen to leave the party, a decision of his that I respected," said Loren.

"That's the ultimate betrayal, the unkindest cut, many in the NPC tell me. But we have to move on because we cannot dwell on negativism as the problems of our nation are grave and varied. I can only wish Chiz the best of luck in whatever path he would choose to make."

"If he wants to run for VP, then the best candidate who had really worked for the people in a previous capacity, in our case as senators, and who would really roll up his or her sleeves and go down to work, may win," said Loren.

Many political analysts had said that Escudero had really intended to run for vice president, but that he had missed the train and now "wants to play the role of a great spoiler."

Still, Loren said that she always gives people the benefit of the doubt and not attribute ulterior motives to their running for public office.

"As I've said, the people can discern who really among the candidates are there to lend a helping hand, who among them can be trusted to deliver public service," she said.

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