Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Francis Escudero shrugged off the results of a latest Pulse Asia Survey where he placed fifth among a list of possible presidential candidates, saying he does not even have plans of running in 2016.
“Wala naman akong balak tumakbong presidente. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nilalagay pa rin ako doon,” Escudero told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the survey.
“Wala akong balak tumakbo. Ang plano ko, maglakad lang,” the senator said in jest.
Maintaining his earlier position on the matter, Escudero stressed that it is still too early to even think of the 2016 elections.
He also said politics was not discussed when he and Senator Grace Poe, whose ratings in the survey surged, were invited to the Christmas Party of the Liberal Party.
“Party ‘yon, hindi partido. Kainan ‘yon, hindi meeting. Pasko ang ipinagdiwang at hindi pagtakbo,” said Escudero.
The latest Pulse Asia survey showed Escudero placing fifth in a list of 14 possible presidential candidates in the 2016 election.
The survey asks respondents which candidate they would likely vote for if elections were held today.
Vice President Jejomar Binay topped the list with 26% of respondents saying they would likely vote for him if elections were held today. He is followed by Sen. Grace Poe (18), Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago (12), Joseph Estrada (10), and Escudero (7).
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas placed sixth in the survey with 6 percent, followed by Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (4), Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (3), Panfilo Lacson (2), and Sen. Franklin Drilon (2).
Three potential candidates – Sen. Bong Revilla, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former senator Richard Gordon – all got similar 1 percent support.(MNS)