All presidential aspirants and those running for national elective positions are welcome to campaign in Sorsogon, former Senator Francis Escudero, now governor of the province, said.
He said this move would afford Sorsoganons to know the candidates better and their platform of government before they cast their ballots in the May 9 elections.
Escudero, who is seeking a comeback in the Senate under Vice President Leni Robredo’s ticket, said all political parties could freely campaign in Sorsogon and present their agenda for governance—an assurance he made long before the start of the official campaign period for national elective posts on February 8.
“Part of my commitment to my constituents is to afford them as many opportunities as possible to meet the candidates, not only to see them and to know them, but more importantly to empower and enable the Sorsoganons to decide for themselves who to support and vote for in the coming elections,” said Escudero, the only incumbent governor in the country who is running for the Senate.
Escudero, whose father Salvador Escudero III, was agriculture secretary during President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration. said he assured all candidates they could freely campaign and go around his province.
“As the father of the province of Sorsogon, and since my term has not yet ended, it is part of my obligation to receive, host and provide help, if needed, and show the hospitality of Sorsoganon who ever visits us,” explained Escudero.
In the 2019 mid-term elections, data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed there were some 493,116 registered voters in the province Sorsogon.
“I would like our province to be opened so that our people will know all presidential candidates so they can choose wisely and with basis,” said Escudero.
Escudero had served two consecutive terms in the Senate from 2007 to 2019 before he was elected governor of Sorsogon three years ago.
He also represented the first district of Sorsogon in the House of Representatives from 1998-2007.
True to his words, the province has hosted some high-profile candidates from opposing camps. UniTeam vice-presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and party traveled through several towns in Sorsogon during her recent Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas motorbike caravan.
Last Wednesday, Escudero welcomed the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and their senatorial ticket at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium.
The former senator said he was also ready to host the Ping Lacson-Tito Sotto ticket and the tandem of Manny Pacquio-Lito Atienza, as well as the other candidates if they signify their intention to campaign in the province.
Robredo, Lacson, Pacquiao have all included the Sorsogon governor as guest candidate in their respective senatorial slates; Sara Duterte is endorsing him as her personal choice.