Chiz not worried about Leni’s possible VP bid

Sen. Francis Escudero is neither threatened nor worried in case Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo decides to be the vice presidential candidate of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II in next year’s elections.

Escudero, who is running with Sen. Grace Poe in the 2016 presidential elections, said every Filipino has the right and capability to offer himself to serve in higher office.

Both Escudero and Robredo are from the Bicol region.

Speaking at the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, the senator yesterday said he respects the opinion of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who seemed unhappy that two candidates from Bicol are being pitted against each other for the vice presidential post.

“I’ve always respected Governor Salceda and respect his opinion in that regard. Maybe he knows more but the truth is we only have one vote even if you are a governor, senator, teacher or government employee. On election day the voters will decide,” Escudero said.

“But I respect, of course, and understand where he is coming from, after all he is a member of the Liberal Party supporting a completely separate set of candidates,” Escudero added.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay would now have to narrow down his choices for running mate to two because Sen. Gregorio Honasan is not interested in running for higher office.

Speaking with reporters at the Senate yesterday, Honasan said that he is not interested in running for vice president in next year’s polls.

Honasan and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were mentioned by Binay as his preferred running mate in the 2016 elections.

Honasan said that he was with the Vice President the other day at the Coconut Palace for a meeting of the United Nationalist Alliance ( UNA) but no offer for him to be running mate was ever discussed.

“I have not considered it, seriously. I’m busy avoiding you,” said Honasan in jest when asked if he was interested in the position.

“The thing is, I have not considered it. I am vice president of UNA so anything I do or say must add value to the presidential bid of the Vice President,” he added.

According to Honasan, he prefers to be behind the scenes, helping out the Vice President in his campaign.

“This is the farthest thing on my mind because I want to ride into the sunset in 2019,” he said.

Honasan said that he was aware of the reports about his being an option of the Vice President for running mate and even made light of the issue.

“The joke here is Bi-Hon,” Honasan said, referring to a moniker for their tandem, which also happens to be a type of noodle.

As for Marcos as a possible running mate of the Vice President, Honasan said that this would be a very formidable team.