Sorsogon Gov. Francis "Chiz" Escudero is planning to run again for senator in the 2022 elections, saying that he wanted to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I do plan to run for the Senate. I do plan to place my name once again on the ballot for the Senate in the hope that I will be able to do my part insofar as helping our country recover from this pandemic after this administration," Escudero said in an ANC interview on Tuesday.
Escudero was among the potential senatorial candidates whom Senate President Vicente Sotto III named on Monday, the others being Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, former Sen. JV Ejercito, and DICT Sec. Gringo Honasan.
In 2019, Escudero won as governor in his home province of Sorsogon after he reached the two-term limit in the Senate.
"As governor, you cannot help the fact, that more often than not, be frustrated with certain policies that are so detached with the needs and the realities of local government officials on the ground," he said.
Escudero said he wanted to give the Senate another try so that others who may be more capable than him could lead his home province.
"I'm not one of the fans of those who believe that there's only one last name that should govern or head or lead the province. We must be able to give chance to others to lead our province who may even be better than I am," he added.
In 2016, Escudero ran for vice president as an independent candidate. He placed fourth overall.