Escudero denies tandem with Binay as 'Bi-Chiz' stickers surface

TOLEDO City, Cebu - Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday denied any secret alliance with Vice President Jejomar Binay for the 2016 elections amid the spread of stickers promoting a "Bi-Chiz" tandem.

Escudero said he is unaware of the source of the stickers, photos of which have surfaced on social media even ahead of the start of the official campaign season on February 9.

"Hindi ko alam saan galing 'yun (Bi-Chiz stickers). Huwag nang ipilit. Okay na 'yung Bi-Hon," the senator said, referring to Binay's tandem with Senator Gringo Honasan.

Despite continued efforts linking him to Binay, Escudero said his relationship with Senator Grace Poe remains strong.

"Sayang lang ang mga ginagawa para sirain kami ni Sen. Grace Poe dahil hindi ito uubra. Sa lahat ng tandem na tumatakbo sa pagka-pangulo at pagka-pangalawang pangulo, kami ni Sen. Grace ang may pinakamatagal na pagsasama... Hindi matitibag ang aming pagsasamahan," he said.

In October last year, Escudero and Binay attended the same event at a restaurant in Davao City.

The senator explained that there was no talk of politics during the chance meeting.

Escudero served as the spokesperson of Poe's late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., when he ran for president in 2004.

In 2010, the senator endorsed then-Makati mayor Binay for vice president even though he backed then-senator Benigno Aquino III for president.

Escudero's endorsement of the so-called "Noy-Bi" tandem was seen as a crucial factor that helped boost Binay's chances of winning the vice presidency. —ALG, GMA News