It must have been total disenchantment, not just deflection or any impediment or obstacles, that has prompted the sudden renunciation of Senator Francis Escudero’s membership in the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Disavowal of relationship in any form after some time is always a lingering discord even in politics.

Note that until the announcement of his resignation from the party, Escudero had been bruited about as the NPC’s presidential standard bearer for the 2010 elections.

In practically all his statements on the coming polls, Escudero had identified himself closely with the NPC, thus establishing his party leadership and the party members’ support to his proposed bid.

And it was all that fuelled the incredulity among NPC leaders when he declared he was leaving the party.

In fact, the meeting where he announced his resignation was called supposedly to signal his proclamation as the party’s official bet for the country’s top post.

There was consternation, of course, expressed by partisans over Escudero’s action, particularly when he said, “it is not the political party but the support of the people that would propel one to the presidency.”

And to think that the young Bicolano senator had been with the party he is leaving since 1998.

What was visibly curious, according to the NPC members, was the presence at the meeting at the Club Filipino in Greenhills of Magdalo supporters who were obviously cheering Escudero’s decision.

The Magdalo group that supported detained Senator Antonio Trillanes have earlier named Escudero as their favored presidential candidate for the 2010 elections.

So, where is the youthful politician headed, really, after denying the support of the political party that could perhaps propel him to the presidency?

Chiz insists that he is “in good terms” with NPC chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco who was said to be financing his proposed presidential campaign.

But with this latest development many are having second thoughts, in fact, are extremely pessimistic about the possibility of such arrangement – and rightly, for sure.

It may be recalled that during the presidential contest between President Gloria Arroyo and the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. in 2004, Escudero then served as FPJ’s spokesman while Danding Cojuangco supported Gloria Arroyo.

Close NPC partisans also appear unprepared to the turn of events, saying they were surprised and are seeking more plausible explanations.

Even more curious is the belief expressed by Chiz that “anybody intending to run for president should not have party affiliation and that the Philippines should be the party itself and all the Filipinos his partymates.”

He said political parties have become obstacle to genuine and meaningful change.

Senator Escudero at 40 is the youngest of the presidential aspirants for the 2010 polls.

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)