MANILA, Philippines – “If she gets disqualified, you will be the president. Can you comment on that?”

More than an hour into the vice presidential forum he attended Monday, November 30, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was asked about rumors he stands to benefit from the disqualification of Senator Grace Poe should they both win in the 2016 elections.

“You’re assuming I will win. That’s an uncertainty,” the vice presidential candidate quickly answered.

But unlike Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo, who said a vice president should not aspire to be president, Escudero is not closing his doors on becoming president in the future.

All he knows is that the time is not now.

“Kung ibibigay man ‘yung pagkakataon na ‘yun, nakahanda siguro ako, pero hindi para sa akin idikta ‘yun, siguro para sa pagkakataon at kasaysayan sa hinaharap ang puwedeng magsabi. Wala na iyon sa kamay ng sinumang kandidato. Nasa kamay na ‘yun, ika nga, ng tadhana – by fate and by faith,” he told reporters after the forum.

(If given that opportunity, I may be ready for it, but that’s not for me to dictate. Maybe it’s the circumstance and history that will dictate. That’s no longer in the hands of any candidate. It’s up to fate – by fate and by faith.)

This is coming from a man who earlier admitted becoming president is the fastest way to change the country’s political landscape.

But times have changed, Escudero said, and when asked if he still dreams of being elected into Malacañang, he answered: “Hindi ko masabi. Kumpara noon malungkot ako noon at maraming hinaharap na problema. Ngayon, sa totoo lang, kuntento’t masaya ako sa aking buhay.”

(I can’t say for sure. Compared to the past, I was sad then and I was facing a lot of problems. Right now, to be honest, I’m happy and content with my life.)

Role of a vice president

During Monday’s forum organized by the National Alliance of Youth Leaders, Escudero laid out his platform including good governance and better government spending in education and agriculture.

He also talked about the important role of a vice president not only in assisting the president, but also in making sure government is felt by sectors and areas that need more attention.

“Maliit o malaki mang trabaho ang ibigay sa kanya – housing man, DSWD man, DFA man o anumang trabaho, dapat pahalagahan nya ‘yun at paghusayin niya, dahil malaki pa ring pagbabago ang pwede niyang magawa para sa ating bansa at mga kababayan sa kanyang kapasidad,” he said. 

(The work that will be given to a vice president may be big or small – may it be in housing, DSWD, DFA, or whatever work – but he should give importance to it and do his best, because he can still make a difference for the country and for the Filipinos in his own capacity.)

While the senator admitted he is scared of how the 2016 elections will turn out, he said he entered the race knowing there is always the chance of defeat.

“Kung kaya mong harapin at tanggapin, walang dahilan para hindi mo i-alay ang sarili mo sa mas mataas na paninilbihan. Naniniwala ako lahat ng tumatakbo…dapat ganun din ang pananaw. Kaya ka tumatakbo, kaya nga inaalay mo ang sarili mo sa paninilbihan sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng eleksyon, para pagpilian ka at iboto o hindi iboto ng ating mga kababayan..”

(If you can face and accept [losing or winning], there should be no reason for you not to offer yourself in service for higher office. I believe everyone who is running should have the same mindset. You’re running because you’re offering yourself in service to the country through elections, so that Filipinos can choose to vote or not to vote for you.)

The senator, who enjoys good standing in vice presidential polls, said he would still be happy with what he has achieved so far even if he ends up losing.

“Sa kasalukuyang panahon, hindi ko alam kung hanggang dito na lamang, pero masaya na ako kung saka-sakali dahil ito na ang kasalukuyang pwesto ko bilang senador – ang pinakamataas na narating ng aking apelyido at ng aking pangalan,” he added.

(Right now, I still don’t know if my political career ends here, but I’m already happy if ever because of my current position as a senator – the highest position my surname has reached.)

In fact, he believes defeated candidates in the country should learn how to concede “para maliwanag ang mandato ng mananalo (so that the mandate of the winner is clear).” – Rappler.com