Chiz Escudero to run as Poe's vice president in 2016

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 12:10 p.m.) - Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday announced that Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero will be her running mate for the 2016 national elections.

Poe on Wednesday announced that she will seek the presidency in the 2016 polls.

"Hinihingi ko ang inyong suporta para sa maaasahang maninilbihan - ang ating pangalawang pangulo, Sen. Escudero," Poe said in her speech.

Escudero said that he believes in Poe's ability, capacity and right to devote her life in serving the country.

"Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit tinatanggap ko ng may buong tapang at pagpapakumbaba ang hamon ni Senator Poe na maging katuwang niya sa landas na kanyang tatahakin bilang kanyang ikalawang pangulo," Escudero said in his speech.

Escudero vowed that if elected, he and Poe will raise the bar of public service by removing "slow and inefficient" people in the government.

He added that Poe's administration would prepare a platform for each department to address the problems of all sectors. They would use the annual budget as a framework.

"Hindi pwede ang teka-teka o analysis paralysis sa pamamahala ng bansa. We should hit the ground running from the first day until the last," he said.

The Senate finance committee chairperson also vowed to push for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill to eliminate corruption in the government.

"Minimize discretion and we will be able to minimize corruption; eliminate it and we will be able to eliminate corruption," Escudero said.

Both Poe and Escudero will run as independent candidates for the 2016 elections.

"Pilipinas ang aming partido at mga Pilipino ang aming kapartido. Pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa ang aming layunin at ito lamang po ang paraan upang pantay naming mapagsilbihan at pakinggan ang bawat Pilipino binoto man kami o hindi, gusto man kami o ayaw," Escudero said.

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