Grace-Chiz bares unity team; Erap glances at Palace again

SENATORS Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero have started forming their presidential tandem and united senatorial slate for the comingelections, reliable sources reveal.

Presidential prospects look challenging and yummy for Grace-Chiz. Let’s run!, they say.

*** Likewise, former President Joseph Estrada discloses that he is toying with the idea of running again for president, especially if something goes wrong with the Opposition team.

Erap glances at Malacanang again,waxes sentimental and whispers “I shall return.”

*** Sen. Poe and Sen. Escudero are now forming their Pres-VP team and tapping key figures from major political parties for their senatorial ticket and and other contestable seats in the 2016 polls.

The independents form unity team and draw in political allies and friends, apparently reciting “in Grace-Chiz union is there strength.”

*** Initially composing the Poe-Escudero senatorial team, sources say, are Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar, Valenzuela City Rep. Win Gatchalian, Taguig Rep. Lino Cayetano, House Independent Bloc Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, reelectionist Sens. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Ralph Recto, Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso (Isko Moreno), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva.

Grace-Chiz team a-forming and prepares for political cooking or boxing.

*** “The names are likely to form a united ticket that will champion the interest of the people. Poe and Escudero will definitely join the presidential and vice presidential race .The forming of grand unity ticket will be a significant step towards national unity,” a source says.

United we stand, divided we crawl.

***

Of the eight “senatoriables,” two (Gatchalian and Sotto) are stalwarts of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) headed by former Amb. Danding Cojuangco, two (Villar and Cayetano) are stalwarts of the Nacionalista Party led by former Senator Manuel Villar, Romualdez is president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Philconsa, while Villanueva belongs to the Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) and the very influential Jesus is Lord Movement (JIL) headed by his father, Bro. Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva.

Political coalition a-forming to carry and market Grace-Chiz .

***

Commitment to public service and good track record are among the major considerations of the Grace-Chiz team in choosing their would-be senatorial bets and other bets, sources say.

“It’s not only about popularity but shared principles of public service.We will push for more nationbuilding .”

And no too much politicking,” the source adds.

*** But the camp of outgoing Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, the LP standard bearer, says they will continue to woo Poe to be Roxas’ running mate despite a disqualification complaint against her.

Mar wants Grace. But she keeps saying “’Wag na po!”

***

Likewise, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada says he is thinking of running again for president with Sen. Grace Poe as his preferred running mate, especially if UNA’s bet Vice Pres. Binay is stopped by charges being filed against him.

I want my inaanak (Grace) as VP, Erap says smiling.

***

Estrada adds that if given the chance, he would serve only for three and a half years – the period his presidential term was “stolen” from him in 2001, and then Grace could take over.

“Erap lang Poe,” he unofficially campaigns.Interesting times.