Press Release
April 10, 2016

CHIZ SAYS VP DEBATE GOOD FOR INDEPENDENT BET LIKE HIM

With resources paling in comparison to his political rivals' campaign war chest, independent candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said he is looking forward to today's vice-presidential debate to discuss the platforms and programs of "Gobyernong may Puso."

"Kaming kulang ang advertisement, siyempre gustong may debate na televised para naman makita at marinig 'yung aming plataporma," Escudero said. "Obligasyon namin na ipaalam at karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang aming mga programa."

Escudero, the voters' top pick in the vice-presidential race based on all pre-election surveys, said the debate would level the playing field for all candidates--whether moneyed or not--to present their plans for the country.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has organized one televised debate for the six candidates seeking the second highest position of the land at the University of Sto. Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will be hosted by CNN Philippines in partnership with Rappler and BusinessMirror.

Among the topics for the vice-presidential debate are corruption, connectivity, foreign policy, human rights, peace and order, political dynasties, poverty, urban issues and traffic.

According to Escudero, he is brushing up on issues and the campaign messages he would like to send out to voters to help them choose the candidate they think will be good for the country.

"Naniniwala ako na lahat naman ng vice-presidential candidates ay may kakayahan. Lahat sila ay kayang sagutin anumang tanong na ibabato sa kanila at lahat ay qualified manilbihan bilang pangalawang pangulo," Escudero said.

"Sa debateng ito ay pantay-pantay lang kaming mga kandidato. May pera at makinarya man para pondohan ang political ads o mga independyente na tulad ko na limitado lang ang panggastos sa kampanya," he added.

A study done by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) earlier showed Escudero's rivals in "deficit spending" in terms of campaign advertisement spending based on Nielsen Media's monitoring as of Jan. 31, 2016. The PCIJ found that among all the vice presidential bets, only Escudero spent on ads within his means based on the vice presidential bets' 2014 statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Escudero's pre-campaign ad expenses amounted to P2,776,000, which is very well within the amount he declared in his 2014 net worth of P6,049,082 and cash on hand/in bank of P3,237,947.

News Latest News Feed