While he is finally qualified by age to run for president after celebrating his 40th birthday on October 10, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has decided to postpone his announcement of his political plans in 2010.

In a press conference with Senate reporters on Monday, Escudero disclosed that the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), of which he is a member, opted to halt its announcement of the party’s 2010 presidential and vice presidential bets the party can focus its efforts on helping the victims of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

The NPC, a political party founded by San Miguel Corp. boss Danding Cojuanco when he sought presidency in 1992, also has Sen. Loren Legarda under its wings who is reportedly courted by at least five presidential hopefuls to be their running mate, including Escudero.

“Instead of talking about 2010, [we are putting] our eyes on the ball first,” Escudero told reporters. We should first help our fellow Filipinos who have lost their homes and have little to eat,” he said.
Asked when would be the right time to bare his 2010 game plan, Escudero responded that as long as it is before November 30, the deadline for the filing of the certificate of candidacy for next year’s breakthrough automated polls.

Escudero, who has visited the areas of Pangasinan that are still submerged in flood water, said he will push for a P12-billion funding for the relief and rehabilitation operation for the people who lost their homes and loved ones during the onslaught of Typhoon Pepeng.

Funding, according to Escudero, should be used to subsidize the farmers’ need for seedlings and fertilizers, employ people in the affected areas as cleaners and compensate them in the process, rebuild dikes, strengthen dam operations, among others.

Amid plans of rehabilitation for the typhoon victims, Escudero hinted that his refusal to come clean of his political plans at this point does not mean that he is backing out of the presidential race.

“My decision to run for higher office was even more driven, given the fact that the government’s response to calamity is outdated,” Escudero said.

Sought for comment, Loren Legarda also remained mum about her 2010, citing the same reason, which is to focus on relief operations for the typhoon victims.

Llanesca T. Panti