Chiz quits Senate body

SENATOR Francis Escudero yesterday resigned as chair of the powerful finance committee and co-chairman Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures in light of his potential bid for higher post in 2016.

Escudero told Senate President Franklin Drilon in a letter that he wanted to keep the upcoming budget deliberations free from politics.

“It is, Mr. President, what propriety requires; it is, I believe, what our people expect from us all: delicadeza,” the lawmaker added.

Escudero said public pronouncements regarding his possible candidacy for higher office dictate that he should give up the two finance panels and spare the budget deliberation from possible perception that he may use it to further his own political plans and actions.

“While I am contemplating and studying (my plans for 2016), even if there is no actual plan, I did it (tendered my resignation) to ensure that there will be no scandalous report or allegations of using my post (as Senate finance panel chair) because for sure, many will attack me,” the senator told reporters.

Drilon commended Escudero’s resignation, saying it was “a deft political move.”

Escudero, however, said he and Senator Grace Poe have not yet finalized their decision for 2016 when asked who will be his running mate just in case he run for vice president in the next elections.