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Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan denounced Tuesday renewed
talks of pairings for president and vice president for the 2010
elections, saying “discussing political ambitions as the rest of
the nation battles with food and oil crisis is revolting.”
Pangilinan’s tirade came after The Manila
Times published a report saying a team-up between Senators Loren
Legarda and Francis Escudero for 2010 is firming up.
“If you are a parent whose family cannot
afford to buy rice for dinner, these politicians’ political plans
are the least of your concerns. If our political leaders truly want
to be relevant to the people, then they should offer solutions to
the worsening state of living in the country, and stop positioning
themselves for the elections,” Pangilinan said.
Legarda had said talks of 2010 are premature and
that she would rather tackle first the problems besetting the
nation. She, however, described a Loren-Chiz tandem as “great and
is exciting the people.”
Escudero said he would make a formal
announcement only on October 10, 2009, when he turns 40.
Pangilinan, who used to be mentioned as the
probable running-mate of Sen. Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party until
they parted ways, said leaders should look beyond 2010 and put the
people first. He is now being mentioned as probable running mate of
either Senate President Manuel Villar or Vice President Noli de
Castro. Sen. Benigno Aquino 3rd reportedly has the inside track of
being named the running-mate of Roxas.
Pangilinan said that rather than focus on 2010,
national leaders should look for ways to normalize the price of rice
and ensure its ample supply in Mindanao, how to stop the fare hikes
and how to cope with the incessant increase in the price of oil.
There are so many more urgent matters to deal
with for our national leaders, and these should supersede their
personal aspirations,” Pangilinan said.
-- Efren L. Danao
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