Poe: No reason to doubt Chiz's loyalty

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday said Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, her running mate in the 2016 elections, still has her trust and confidence amid accusations that he is abandoning her following her disqualification by the Commission on Elections.

"Ako ay kumpiyansa sa pagkatao ni Chiz. 2004 pa lang kasama na niya kami, hindi niya kami nilaglag," she said at a press briefing in Quezon City. "Sa tingin ko isa siya sa mga patuloy na tumutulong at dumidepensa sa amin." 

Poe, who has elevated her disqualification case to the Supreme Court, said there is no reason for her to doubt Escudero's sincerity.

"Ako ay kumpiyansa na matagal ko nang kilala si Chiz. Walang dahilan para magduda. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng nagbabantay pero binibigyan ko kayo ng assurance na hindi sila dapat mag-alala sa puntong ito," she said.

Poe defended their tandem after a group called Philippine Crusader for Justice (PCJ) said Escudero was partly to blame for Poe's disqualification as he is Poe's campaign strategist and primary legal counsel. 

The group also said they heard Escudero has a "secret deal" with another 2016 presidential candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay, for the 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News