Francis Escudero

“For me, every sentence in our history should end, not with a period, but with an exclamation mark. Nowadays, “good enough” is not good enough! If we truly desire progress, we cannot be lazy. We cannot have a slow government.”

“The book of Philippine history is far from finished. However, does every sentence in our country’s story need to be finished with a period?”

“We will work together and unite in our mission, and this is the only way for us to equally serve and listen to every Filipino, whether they voted for us or not, whether they support us or not.”

“Our party is the Philippines, and the members of our party are the Filipino people.”

“As we devote ourselves to the higher calling of serving our country as president and vice-president, this is the reason we will choose to remain independent, or without party. We believe that whoever runs and serves as president or vice-president should not be member of a single party (LP, NPC, NUP, NP, UNA or others). Our party should be the Filipino people. And we should be loyal not only to liberals, nationalists, or other party members, but to every Filipino.”

“Senator Grace and I cannot do this alone. We need the help of every one of you, of every Filipino!”

“At the same time, through the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill and a crackdown on anomalies, we will fight corruption by ensuring that the government will be run on a simple principle—that discretion equals corruption. Minimize discretion and we will be able to minimize corruption; eliminate it and we will be able to eliminate corruption.”

“Starting from the first day in office, this is the only way to urgently address the most pressing problems of every sector of the Philippines. In governing this country, we cannot afford to dawdle or hold ourselves hostage to analysis paralysis. We should hit the ground running from the first day until the last. We cannot afford to do otherwise.”

“The next president will appoint and delegate over 5,000 people in government who will fill positions in 500 agencies, and will spend 18 trillion pesos over a six-year term.”

“Senator Grace and I will establish a Government with Heart through a detailed platform for each agency, which will be based on their yearly budget.”

“Here in Manila, how can we worry about the traffic going to work or school, while some remote villages in our country don’t even have schools or jobs? We can’t keep complaining about potholes and floods in Metro Manila while the Cordillera lacks roads or Tawi-Tawi lacks water. We have to move forward together, and as Senator Grace says, our most neglected and vulnerable citizens must come first.”

“And a Government with Heart to ensure our country progresses without leaving anyone behind.”

“A Government with Heart who will protect our environment and heed the cries of Mother Nature.”

“A Government with Heart who will find ways to reduce the cost of electricity, basic goods, and taxes.”

“A Government with Heart to protect victims of corruption, crime, and abuse.”

“A Government with Heart for public servants, teachers, police, soldiers, and even ordinary employees.”

“A Government with Heart for the differently-abled, the elderly, and the youth, including even children yet unborn.”

“A Government with Heart for the poor, the needy; a Government with Heart for the farmers, the fishermen, the laborers, and Overseas Filipino Workers.”

“I accept this challenge wholeheartedly because I believe in the character and ability of Senator Grace. Like her father FPJ, Senator Poe’s heart is in the right place. I believe that, as president, Senator Grace Poe or “GP” will lead a “GP” — Gobyernong may Puso or a Government with Heart.”

“This is why I have decided to accept, with wholehearted will and humility, Senator Grace’s challenge to accompany her on her journey, and to run as her vice president.”