Analysts see reinvention, doom in Chiz bolting NPC
by Karen Reyes-Caringal, ANC | 10/29/2009 12:24 AM
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MANILA - Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero may have bolted the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) to free himself of any party ties or interests if and when he runs for higher office, but this will not necessarily boost his chances of victory.
A political analyst, University of the Philippines Professor Prospero “Popoy” de Vera, believes Escudero has just spelled doom for his presidential bid.
"Nobody wins the presidency as an independent in this country. Nobody's done it and no one can, especially at this late stage of (the) election race," de Vera told ABS-CBN News.
Escudero was widely expected to announce his presidential bid on Wednesday at the Club Filipino in San Juan, only to declare that he has left the NPC.
“No recent issues”
NPC Chairman and former Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr. admitted that Escudero took them by surprise.
"We feel sad for what happened because last night, he called me up and told me that he's going to resign from the party. Ang sabi niya is para maging malaya siya kung ano man ang gagawin niyang decision. (He said he wanted to be free to make his own decision)," Dy told ANC's Top Story on Wednesday.
"Siyempre, pag may mga major decision, di ba usually kino-consult mo ang party. ‘Yon ang ayaw niya, iyong ikukunsulta niya ang party kung meron siyang dapat gawin. (That was what he didn't like, that he had to consult the party before he made any move)," Dy added.
The NPC chairman however said there had been no recent issues that could have prompted Escudero to bolt the only party he has belonged to since his political career began in 1998.
“Reinventing himself”
For de Vera and University of Santo Tomas Political Science Professor Edmund Tayao, Escudero could simply be reinventing himself.
"If we go by the kind of politician Chiz is, he made significant calculations before he came up with this bold move. So I'm sure the cost and effect of this decision has already been thought of long before (the announcement). He has the looks, the youthfulness. Options are open, not only in 2010 but also after that. He could also be calculating that he can't win and he is just firming up his political profile. There are no limitations. He is not identified with any economic or political figure. If he has made enough calculations and believe he can generate as much amount of support logistically, this may be a good move on his part," Tayao told ANC's Dateline Philippines.
"Naghahanap siya ng magandang paraan to reintroduce himself, to regain political magic. (He's finding ways to reintroduce himself)," de Vera likewise said.
While Escudero also announced that he's now open to running for vice-president, there's no indication now if he has any preference for a runningmate.
The young senator, who just turned 40 this month, had ruled out joining forces with the ruling Lakas-Kampi CMD and fellow Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party.
Tayao also sees an apparent disinterest by NPC Chairman Emeritus Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco Jr. in the party's failure to unite.
"Danding has shown in a lot of terms that he is semi-retired already as a political figure. This shows some kind of lack of interest or lack of focus on the part of someone who used to be the one calling the shots as far as the party is concerned," Tayao said.
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