The Davao City-based AGRI Party-list has declared its full support for the candidacy of Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, who is seeking a new six-year term in the Senate in the coming May national election, calling him a “steadfast ally” of farmers and the agriculture sector.
In a statement, AGRI chairman Wilbert Lee said the party-list group, which represents farmers and agricultural workers, is backing Escudero’s Senate comeback, citing his strong and consistent stand in support of the industry.
“AGRI Party-list joins millions of voters, numerous sectoral organizations, and fellow party-list groups that have expressed their support for the senatorial candidacy of Sorsogon Gov. Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ G. Escudero,” Lee said. “AGRI kami kay Chiz sa Senado.”
In his 21 years as legislator, 12 years of which as senator, Lee said, “Escudero has consistently supported legislation, programs, and policies that benefit the Filipino farmer. In Gov. Escudero, the agriculture sector has a steadfast ally who has pushed repeatedly for increased government funding and support for our sector as he recognizes its critical role in ensuring the food security of our people and its capacity to contribute to the growth of our economy.”
The party list expressed confidence that with Escudero back in the Senate, the institution “would benefit from his knowledge, experience, and statesmanship.”
“A lawyer who has an impressive track record . . . a lawmaker and a leader who serves as a sterling role model, Gov. Escudero is the senator we can trust to fight for our rights and our welfare—one who deserves a fresh term in the Senate,” Lee pointed out.
The AGRI Party-list, which was established in 2005, is also participating in this year’s election. Ang Kabuhayan, An Waray, ARISE, BHW, Kusog Bikolandia, Agimat and Magdalo in the growing list of party-list organizations that have endorsed Escudero’s bid to return to the Senate.
The Federation of Free Farmers, a 200,000-strong non-government organization considered one of the biggest in the country, has also endorsed the governor.
The tandems of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan; Senator Ping Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto; and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Rep. Lito Atienza have adopted Escudero in their senatorial slates.
UniTeam vice-presidential candidate and incumbent Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and mayors from CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Eastern Samar who belong to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) have likewise endorsed the incumbent leader of Sorsogon.