Amidst much speculation about his political plans, opposition Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero Wednesday bolted from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), saying it is not the political party but the support of the people that would propel one to the presidency.

Escudero announced his resignation from the party where he belonged since 1998 before political allies and hundreds of supporters at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

Visible in the audience were supporters of detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, whose Magdalo group earlier announced its preference for Escudero as presidential candidate.

Pressed by media people whether he will run for president and under what party, Escudero declined to answer and instead asked for more time to decide on his political plans. His campaign manager, Lito Banayo, for his part insisted that Escudero will run for president as an independent.

Many were caught by surprise by Escudero’s resignation from the NPC, which is headed by Former Ambassador and San Miguel Corporation Chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

Escudero made it clear he was in good terms with Mr. Cojuangco, who was supposed to bankroll his candidacy for president.

Cojuangco, considered among the country’s most influential businessmen, and Escudero were on the opposite side of the fence during the May 2004 elections when the former ambassador supported President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo while Escudero rallied behind movie king Fernando Poe Jr.

Rep. Michael John “Jack” Duavit (1st District, Rizal), NPC chairman, said they were caught flatfooted by Escudero’s resignation and said the party will have to reassess the possible impact of their former spokesman’s move.

The 40-year-old Escudero, who first ran under the NPC for Sorsogon congressman in 1998, once served as the mouthpiece of the party.

Duavit said they only not lost a party mate but also a good friend.

“We were surprised over his decision.

Our leadership will have to meet and reassess the effect of his resignation to the party,” he said.

“I will talk to him. If I were to follow my heart I want him back in our party.”

Up until the announcement, it was widely believed that Escudero would be the NPC standard bearer for the May 2010 polls with Senator Loren Legarda as possible running mate.

Legarda, however, declared last week her vice presidential bid ahead of Escudero’s announcement, an indication that the two could not work in tandem.

In a prepared statement, Escudero said: “Sa aking paniniwala, sinuman pong nagpaplano tumakbo bilang pangulo ng bansa, wala dapat partidong kinabibilangan. Ang partido lamang dapat niya ay Pilipinas at ang kanyang mga kapartido ay lahat ng Pilipino.”

Escudero, the youngest among the presidential hopefuls, also said political parties have become obstacles to genuine and meaningful change.

“Para po sa akin, hindi dapat idikta ng isang partido ang gagawin ng sinumang tatakbo. Dahil kung ganoon, papaano niya mapapanagot ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno kung ito ay kagrupo o kasama niya?” he said.

“Papaano niya ia-abolish ang pork barrel at i-institute ang line item budgeting kung kasama niya ay puro kongresista at puro senador?”

Except for his father, Rep. Salvador Escudero, and former Presidential Peace Adviser Sonny Razon who is running for Manila mayor under the NPC, no other political bigwigs were present when Escudero made his announcement.

For her part, Legarda said she respects Escudero’s decision and understands the noble sentiments behind it.