SENATOR Francis Escudero on Monday dismissed the insinuations he betrayed Senator Grace Poe as a result of his supposed “reconciliation meeting” with Vice President Jejomar Binay that was brokered by businessman Antonio Floirendo in Davao City.
“That could be part [of black propaganda]. Those could have come from the groups who want us separated,” Escudero said.
“But in truth, among all the tandems we have the longest partnership. Compared to the other tandems we have been together and have known each other for the longest time.”
Escudero served as spokesman of Poe’s adoptive father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., when he ran for President in 2004.
Poe then returned to the country from the United States to help in her father’s presidential campaign.
“If there are issues like this [betrayal], this will be more likely in the other tandems that lack closeness or those involved are not close to each other,” Escudero said.
The other tandems in next year’s elections are Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Gringo Honasan, and Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Escudero also belied the reports that Floirendo tried to patch up things between him and Binay.
“That’s not true. We didn’t even talk,” Escudero said.
“He just told us he was happy because we were there. In fact, he also said that if Senator Grace was around, he would have also invited her because we were all his friends.”
There were reports that Binay and Escudero had lunch at the Filipino Comfort Food Restaurant in Davao City owned by Floirendo.
Floirendo, who is running unopposed as representative of the second district of Davao City, is a known supporter of Binay and Escudero.
Escudero admitted bumping into Binay in the same restaurant, but said he merely asked Binay if he had taken his lunch. He said he didn’t feel awkward because they were in a public place, and that they did not talk about politics.
“We just talked about food,” Escudero said.