CHIZ NAMED 'GREENEST' VP BET

For having a good track record and stand on environmental issues, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero has been declared the "greenest" vice-presidential candidate by various environmental groups behind a campaign to educate voters about the environmental record of national candidates for the May 9 elections.

Escudero bested five other candidates vying for the second highest post in the land after scoring 29 points overall in the evaluation conducted by 14 "green" groups behind the initiative called "Luntiang Bayan: Boto para sa Tao, Hayop at Kalikasan."

Trailing behind Escudero are Senators Gregorio Honasan (21 points), Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (9 points), Alan Peter Cayetano (4 points); Antonio Trillanes IV (3 points) and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo (2 points).

The candidates were rated based on their performance on seven environmental issues, namely: animal welfare and wildlife protection; biodiversity and ecosystems protection; adaption to climate change/disaster preparedness and mitigation; food security; sustainable development; solid waste management; and environmental justice.

In a statement, Luntiang Bayan convenors said Escudero scored the highest on environment justice "because of his statements on the dumping of Canadian trash, the rehabilitation efforts in Yolanda-affected areas, and support for farmers who are suffering from the El Niño weather phenomenon."

The convenors include Earth Island Institute Philippines, Nilad, Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute, Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Save Philippine Seas, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Ecowaste Coalition, Save Freedom Island Movement, Pull OutCOALition, Save Laguna Lake Movement, Piglas, UP Green League, Miriam Environmental Planning Organization, and UP Minggan.

Escudero, who currently the chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, was also recently named "Clean Air Champion" by the Coalition of Clean Air Advocates Philippines, which also endorsed his candidacy for vice-president.

The coalition recognized Escudero for his personal commitment to advocacies geared toward achieving better air quality and sustainable development for the Filipino people.