Escudero: They can't find any other issue against Noynoy

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero Wednesday dismissed the allegations that Aquino was mentally unfit to become President.

Escudero said that the second purported psychological exam on Aquino was just part of the mudslinging and character assassination that happen during the election period.

“Maybe they no longer have any other issue against Noynoy. That’s why they’re using this issue. But Noynoy has already addressed it and there is no longer any need to explain this again,” Escudero said in an interview.

He said Aquino could answer all the allegations because these were not true.

Escudero said that in the years that he had worked with Aquino, the senator did not show any disturbing behavior that would have raised concerns about his mental health.

“I would not be helping him and would not have endorsed him if these allegations were true,” he added.

[Inquirer]

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The result of the Aquino/Roxas tandem to some of the members of the opposition

Some members of the opposition said that the formal announcement of Aquino/Roxas tandem may possibly close the door to unity.
Former President Joseph Estrada said he is still determined to run in 2010 and has no plan to ask Aquino to give way. But he would like to talk to Aquino about having a single lineup for the senatorial and local positions.
Loren Legarda, on the other hand, is looking into a possible Legarda/Escudero-Escudero/Legarda tandem in which she believes will also have its strength. She also said the fight will be a friendly one but the level of debate is high and issues would be at the forefront of the campaign.
But Villar still has no team, and Escudero and Legarda both shared the same opinion that Villar will need a credible team because of the recent issues he had that affected his record in politics. But with Willie Revillame as his strong supporter, things might change for Villar.

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Chiz Escudero rejects tandem with Villar

Next to Noynoy, I like Chiz Escudero. If he becomes the president, you can expect our country to be in good hands. There were charges against Villar as raised by Jamby Madrigal but he never faced the senate hearings. Was it because he has many hidden agendas? What he did instead - using his billions - was launched an aggressive media campaign to deny the charges, claiming that the allegations are meant to undermine his bid for the presidency, according to Chiz. Can we ever forget that he was once a Marcos' ally and crony and it's easy to think that he has the Marcos’ style and training.
If I may borrow a reader's comment, we are taking another risk for our country if Villar becomes the next president.

MANILA - Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Friday rejected a team-up with Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential aspirant Senator Manny Villar even if an alleged Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that a Villar-Escudero tandem has the best chance of winning next year's elections.

“Impossible. It will never happen. I stand for good governance,” Escudero said in a statement.

“Given what I have seen and read about the allegations raised in the C-5 controversy, it seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. I cannot in good conscience run with or under him,” he added.

Escudero, who will turn 40 in October, is expected to seek the support of his party, the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), whose titular head is San Miguel Corp. (SMC) chair and chief executive officer Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco Jr..

Escudero said "Villar has refused to attend the hearings by the Senate on allegations raised by Sen. Jamby Madrigal in October last year that his real estate empire benefited from the diversion of the C-5 road extension project."

Instead, Escudero said "the billionaire senator has launched an aggressive media campaign to deny the charges, claiming that the allegations are meant to undermine his bid for the presidency."

“If the charges are false, then there is still time for Sen. Villar to present his side before his peers in the Senate,” Escudero said. [ABS-CBN]

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