By Roy Pelovello

In search of a standard-bearer for the 2010 elections, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino is considering casting its lot with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, whom party stalwarts see as the Barack Obama or underdog that will win the contest for the Philippine opposition.

Kampi leaders said that an Escudero-led ticket is an option worth exploring especially if the party, allied with President Arroyo, and the Lakas administration coalition fail to merge and come up with a common standard-bearer.

That is a logical move, said Rep. Roger Mercado, considering that Kampi is also seeking to strengthen its alliance with Escudero’s party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition led by business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

A formal alliance between Kampi and NPC will likely result in both parties formally supporting Escudero as standard-bearer, Mercado said.

Mercado noted that Escudero is heavily favored by NPC leaders over other potential candidates from the opposition.

Mercado said that Escudero could prove to be the local version of United States President Barack Obama should the administration name him presidential bet.

“We have a coalition with NPC and I think Senator Chiz Escudero is our Obama,” said Mercado, chairman of the House committee on public works and highways.

Another Kampi stalwart, Rep. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, claimed that the administration camp has a deep bench of potential presidential candidates among them, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr.

Sources in Congress said the leaders of two administration parties—Rep. Luis Villafuerte, president of Kampi, and Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., president of Lakas, are open to the idea of supporting an Escudero-headed lineup for 2010. Both Lakas and Kampi have a common titular head in President Arroyo.

Escudero could not be reached for comment but his office said he left for Australia for a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and ranking members of his administration.

At the invitation of the Australian government, Escudero will discuss trade and job-matching opportunities for Filipinos when he meets with Rudd and other government officials, during his March 9 to 11 visit, the statement said.

Escudero will be holding talks with Employment Assistant Secretary Cary Duffy who will make a technical presentation and discuss the forecasting of employment trends, planning and employment modeling.

He will take up trade issues with Minister of Trade MP Simon Crean and has a scheduled meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Employment, Education and Workplace Relations Julia Gillard and Immigration and Citizenship Minister Senator Christopher Evans.

Apart from Escudero, other potential presidential candidates include Senators Manuel Villar, Nacionalista Party; Manuel Roxas, Liberal Party; Senator Panfilo Lacson and Vice President Noli de Castro, both independent; and Senator Loren Legarda, NPC.

But De Castro is also being wooed by Lakas leaders to lead the administration ticket after he has consistently topped surveys.