President Duterte has endorsed the senatorial candidacy of incumbent Sorsogon Governor Francis ‘’Chiz’’ Escudero in the coming May 2022 national elections, praising his passion and commitment to serve the people.
In a video message, President Duterte expressed confidence that if elected again to the Senate, Escudero would play a big role in crafting key pieces of legislation and reforms at a time when the country is besieged with challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic now on its third year.
“I support and endorse Chiz Escudero as he runs for senator. His eloquence, intelligence and passion to serve the Filipino people will really help us pass crucial legislation and implement reforms in the Senate,” the President said in his video message.
“I hope that you will add him to the list of senators in the coming elections. Mabuhay ka, Chiz Escudero!" President Duterte added.
Escudero expressed gratitude to President Duterte for his endorsement and trust, saying this would encourage him to work harder to improve the plight of many Filipinos, whose lives have been adversely affected by the ongoing global public health crisis.
A former senator for two terms, Escudero is running under the agenda of strengthening local government units (LGUs). He is also offering his long years of experience as public servant to the next administration in solving a slew of economic and public health problems set off by the outbreak of Covid-19.
Early this year, presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who is running for vice president under the UniTeam, has personally endorsed the senatorial run of Escudero when she visited the town of Matnog in Sorsogon.
The tandems of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan; Senator Panfilo ‘’Ping’’ Lacson and Senate President Vicente ‘’Tito’’ C. Sotto III; and Senator Emmanuel ‘’Manny’’ Pacquiao and Representative Lito Atienza have adopted Escudero in their senatorial slates.
Several party-list groups have also thrown their support for Escudero’s Senate return, namely Ang Kabuhayan, AGRI, An Waray, ARISE, Ang Probinsiyano, BHW, Kusog Bikolandia, Agimat and Magdalo. The Federation of Free Farmers, a 200,000-strong non-government organization considered one of the biggest in the country, is also endorsing him.
Mayors from CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Eastern Samar, who belong to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), have likewise endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Escudero.