The Philippine Online Chronicles

“Napagpasyahan ko na hindi tumakbo bilang pangulo sa darating na halalan (I have decided not to run for President this coming elections),” said opposition Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero in a press conference early this morning held at the Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan.

He has always been quoted saying that “it’s the presidency, but not at all cost.” He further explained that, “Not at the cost of losing my soul. Not at the cost of losing myself. Not at the cost of being eaten up by the system and the process and certainly not at the cost of not being able to do the things that I want and set out to do.”

“Napagpasiyahan ko na hindi man ngayon ang panahon para matupad ang pinanghahawakan kong pangarap at layuning pampanguluhan na hindi nakatali, patuloy kong panghahawakan ang pangarap at pangako, kung hindi man ngayon, kundi sa darating na panahon (I have decided that even though now is not the time for my dream and destiny for a presidency that won’t be beholden to anyone, I will continue to hold that dream and promise. If not now, in the near future),” explains Escudero.

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He asks and poses the challenge, to those who have declared themselves to run for the highest post of the land, whether they have or have not been eaten by the system in their quest for the Presidency.

He later clarified that he would not seek for any higher position in the coming 2010 Elections, including running as Vice-President.

Move My Chiz, Youth for Chiz, Team Chiz, Magdalo, FPJPM, other parallel groups, partylists and supporters were present at the announcement, hoping he would declare his bid for a higher position, either independent Presidential or independent Vice-Presidential bid.

Supporters were all shocked and saddened by his announcement not to run anymore; but in the end, respected what the Senators’ decision was.

Escudero expressed his gratitude to all those who believed, supported, and organized groups for him. As to whoever he will support for the top posts in 2010, he says, “Kaisa ninyo ako, at kaisa ako ng kung sinumang pagtitiwalaan ng sambayanan sa mga darating na araw (I am one with you, one with whoever you will put your trust in, in the coming days)."

He adds, "At bilang botante, bilang Pilipino, bilang Senador patuloy akong mananalig sa kakayanan ng Pilipino at ng ating bansa na malampasan ang mga hamon at pagsubok na ito (As a voter, as a Filipino, as a Senator, I will continue to bank on the ability of the Filipinos and of our country to widthstand all obstacles and problems it will face).”

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