Escudero to run as independent in 2013

MANILA -- Two dominant players in next year's elections, the Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), will be fielding Senator Francis Escudero as common candidate after he ditched an option to join any political party.

Running as independent, Escudero said he doesn't see any difference in the platforms of the LP led by President Benigno Aquino III and UNA backed by Vice President Jejomar Binay. Escudero played a key role in the winning Aquino-Binay tandem in the 2010 presidential elections.

"I believe that when you compare the platforms of all the parties, almost all are identical: alleviate the plight of the poor, find ways to economic recovery, and promote land reform. Both UNA and LP have our country's welfare in mind. The only difference is the personalities and the officials who make up the parties," he said.

Escudero has been party-less since late 2009, when he abandoned plans to go against his friend, then Senator Aquino, in the presidential race.

He also left the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) on the same year but has since reconciled with party leader Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., the President's uncle.

"I am thankful that the LP will include me in its coalition and UNA will be adopting me as a guest candidate," Escudero said. "The more support a candidate gets for his candidacy, the better for him."

UNA is set to name its 12-man senatorial ticket on Friday while the LP is yet to schedule its own announcement.

The filing of certificate of candidacy for aspirants to elective positions in May 2013 is from October 1 to 5. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)