Francis Escudero

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Francis Joseph Escudero
Representative, 1st District Sorsogon
1998–present
House of Representatives
Minority Floor Leader
2004–present
Political Party: NPC (Escudero Wing)
(2007 to date)
Nationalist People's Coalition (1998-2007)
Born: October 10, 1969 (age 37)
Flag of Philippines Manila, Philippines
Religion: Roman Catholic
Spouse: Christine Elizabeth Flores
Website http://www.chizescudero.com/

Francis Joseph Guevara Escudero (born October 10, 1969), also known as Francis Escudero and Chiz Escudero, is a Philippine politician. He is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1998 to the present. He is the Minority Floor Leader of the 13th Congress of the Philippines and is on his third and last term[1] as Representative of the 1st District of Sorsogon. He is a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC and currently the Secretary General of the United Opposition or UNO.

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[edit] Biography and career

Francis Escudero was born on October 10, 1969 in Manila, Philippines. He is the son of former Agriculture Secretary Salvador "Sonny" H. Escudero III and educator Evelina B. Guevara. [2] He is the middle of three children whose family made frequent trips back home to Sorsogon. [3]

Escudero went to the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He graduated BA in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1988 and Bachelors of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. [4] He received his Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D. C. in 1996.[2]

At the University of the Philippines, Escudero was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines from 1992–1993. He also joined the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta Debating Team which was the 1991 U.P. Open Debate Champion. It was during this time that Escudero got his first victory as a debater when, as a "frat man," he was "politely ordered" by his seniors at the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity to represent the group in the campus-wide gab fest.[5] A consistent honor student, he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather or the U.P. Law Honor Society from 1989–1993.

He runs a column, "Usapang Legal ni Chiz Escudero" in the Philippine newspapers Abante and Abante Tonite. He is also the program anchor of the radio program Usapang de Campanilla of the Philippine radio station DZMM. [6] The column is now named "Say Chiz". "Usapang Legal" is his radio program over DZMM. His TV program is "Square Off" over ANC.[citation needed]

Escudero is married to the former Christine Elizabeth R. Flores who is a singer and stage actress.

[edit] Early work

Escudero was a teaching assistant at the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines in 1988–1989. In 1989, he became Junior Political Analyst of the Batangas Development Planning office. [7]

From 1993–1994, he was Junior Associate at the Bautista, Picazo, Buyco, Tan and Fider Law Office. After this, he was Legal Consultant for the UNLAD Ship Management and Manning Corp. and Legal Counsel for the Crusade Against Violence (CAV), both in 1994 to 1995. Since 1995 until the present, he is a partner of the Escudero, Marasigan, Sta. Ana, Vallente and Villareal Law Office (EMSAVIL Law).[4]

From 1996 to 1998, he was Senior Lecturer at the College of Law at the University of the Philippines. He was also lecturer at the Graduate School of the Ateneo de Manila University in 2000.

From May to August 2000, he was TV Host of Ngayon na Pinoy of RPN 9. [7] He is also the Program Anchor of "Magandang Umaga, Bayan," at the Angel Radio, DZAR 1026 AM. [7] Then from July 3, 2000 to the present, he is the Commander of the Philippine Navy Reserved Command. [7]

[edit] Political career

Congressman Escudero in one of his talks in Sarangani Province
Congressman Escudero in one of his talks in Sarangani Province

Escudero's gradual initiation into politics and into the art of addressing big crowds began in his teens in the '80s, when he helped organize the local campaigns of his father. [5] Escudero explained: "In 1984, I was part of the postering brigade in my dad's campaign for assemblyman. In 1987, I handled the youth; in 1992, I handled the headquarters and arranged logistics. In 1995, I handled last minute operations, and in 1998, I was finally the candidate!" [6] He first indicated his inclination towards politics at age of 22 when he expressed interest to run for public office as municipal councilor of Sorsogon City. At age 25, he again indicated an intent to run for the office of the mayor of Sorsogon City. But for both occasions, the family's opinion, especially that of his father's, that he finish his law studies first before beginning a political career, prevailed. In response to the wishes of his family, he finished his Law studies first before entering politics. [6]

As a fourth-generation Escudero to serve in public office, he began his political career at age 28 in 1998 as the representative of the 1st District Sorsogon for the 11th Congress of the Philippines. [7] He was elected Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the 11th Congress from June 1998 to November 2000 and became Second Deputy Majority Floor Leader of the 11th Congress in November 2000 to January 2001. He was Assistant Deputy Majority of the 11th Congress from January to June 2001. [7]

Escudero was the campaign spokesperson for the defeated Philippine presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. [5] He is currently the spokesman for the United Opposition's Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino and House Minority Leader. [8] He is on his third term as Representative of the 1st District Sorsogon (1998 to present). He is a member of the House Committee on Rules. [9]

As early as May 29, 2005, he has already confirmed with the Philippine Daily Inquirer his future plans after his 3-year term in congress ends. "In 2007, I will run for the Senate just to know. I'm not saying I won't cry or get drunk if I lose, but the upside of it is at least I will know, and I still have time to do something productive." [3]

As for his term in congress which ends in 2007, he said: "Three years is too short for a good official, too long for a bad one. Four is ideal. I feel tired—I used to have only five white hairs!—but I still want to find out, at age 35, if this will still be my career path or whether I should move to the private sector. I wouldn't want to reach 50 still hoping to be something in government which I can never be." [3]

[edit] 2007 senatorial bid

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Congressman Escudero at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) holding his Certificate of Candidacy for Senator on January 30, 2007. He is flanked by his wife Christine on the left and actress and political ally Susan Roces on the right.
Congressman Escudero at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) holding his Certificate of Candidacy for Senator on January 30, 2007. He is flanked by his wife Christine on the left and actress and political ally Susan Roces on the right.

On January 30, 2007, Francis Escudero became the first anti-administration stalwart to file his candidacy for the Philippine Senate. [10]

By formalizing his senatorial bid under the fragmented Nationalist People's Coalition, the 37-year-old Sorsogon lawmaker puts to rest all rumors that Malacañang was courting him to join its so-called “Team Unity” slate.[10]

[edit] Impressions

Escudero was one of the "Bright Boys" from Estrada's Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (LAMMP) party, the name given to the first termer's of the 11th Congress of the Philippines in 1998, who, according to the now-defunct Asiaweek "trade barbs while helping to steer through presidential priorities". [11] Inquirer's Volt Contreras in 2004 described Escudero as one of the pro-Estrada "bright boys" of the 11th Congress, whose "rapid way of speaking, yet sober tone and soft-eyed demeanor stood out amid the taunting and tiresome spiels mouthed by some of his more senior peers in the House of Representatives or Senate."

Environment Secretary Mike Defensor, Escudero's political polar opposite, describes Escudero as "very competent, very eloquent and articulate."

Rep. Noynoy Aquino, another legislator whom Escudero considers a friend despite their divergent political backgrounds, describes Escudero as "When he talks, he doesn't waste anybody's time. During that whole prelude to Edsa III, he never resorted to rabble-rousing or hysteria. We have never voted on the same side on any issue, but we both have the same goal, and that's the good of the Filipino people. As a friend, Escudero is "true and honest. There's nothing plastic about him. If people do find fault with him, it may be because he sometimes jokes a little too much, although he's mellowed down a lot. Sobrang alaskador (too much of a wiseacre), so he rubs people the wrong way. They think he's mayabang (arrogant). I think most people who have derogatory things to say, though, are just envious. Once, one fellow was so pikon he even told Chiz's father about it!"

[edit] Role and stand on Philippine political issues

Congressman Chiz during the congressional hearings
Congressman Chiz during the congressional hearings
Congressman Escudero in one of his speeches
Congressman Escudero in one of his speeches

Escudero was one of the pro-impeachment congressmen who were the prime movers for the initiation of impeachment proceedings for current Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In 2005, he voted against the dropping of impeachment complaints against the president. His explanation summarizes his stand: "It is the truth that has lost. But the search for the truth does not end today. The president and her allies will always be haunted by questions." [12]

In 2006, the House Minority Leader announced that the opposition would purge members who will not affix their signatures upon the impeachment resolution filed. [13] Despite the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) refusal to back Arroyo's impeachment in 2006, Escudero insisted that the impeachment process would continue as "the only available legal and peaceful means at arriving at the truth." [14] This statement did not sit well with others members of the House, particularly with fellow representative Imee Marcos.

Escudero maintained the same vote on dismissing the impeachment complaints against Arroyo in 2006, retaining his original vote the previous year. [15] [16]

On the proposed Charter Change, House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero is part of the anti-charter change bloc made up of practically the same lawmakers who voted to oust Mrs. Arroyo in 2005, the group of congressmen who voted to block the cha-cha initiative of House Speaker Jose de Venecia.[14] Escudero said that he is confident that the 51 lawmakers — 36 from the minority and 15 from the majority — have not changed their minds on the issue. Assuming this is still the case, the administration camp will be left with only 183 votes, leaving the move to amend the Constitution "virtually dead." [17]

As for the General Appropriations Act or Proposed Budget for 2007, Escudero is a member of the NGO-Legislators Committee proposing an alternative budget for 2007 titled: "Imperatives of Real and Equitable Growth: An Alternative Proposal for Financing the Millennium Development Goals in the 2007 Budget" [18]

[edit] Quotes

Congressman Francis "Chiz" Escudero
Congressman Francis "Chiz" Escudero
  • "Sama-sama nating ipaglaban kung ano ang tama at labanan kung ano ang mali". [8]
  • "Wag n'yong hayaan na pagdating ng panahon, sisihin kayo ng susunod na henerasyon dahil wala kayong ginawa… Wag kayong pumayag na manuod na lamang sa gilid, pumalakpak, ngumiti at kumaway habang hinuhubog ang ating kasaysayan. Sana'y makilahok kayo sa paghubog ng ating kasaysayan." [8]
  • "I disagree that I'm on the wrong side. I'm just not on your side." [5]
  • " It is the truth that has lost. But the search for the truth does not end today..." [19]
  • "There are no tough opponents in a debate, but only tough issues" [5]
  • "In a democracy, you must follow the will of the majority, which may be right or wrong, moral or immoral, just or unjust. If that's the ruling of the majority that is what you should follow, respect, and obey — although you may continue to disagree with it." [5]
  • Winning doesn't necessarily mean you're right. History will be a better judge of that. But that's the beauty of democracy - you believe what you believe, I believe what I believe..." [3]

[edit] Filmography and television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Debate with Mare at Pare Himself 3 TV episodes
Suspension of Makati City Officials Himself TV Episode
Impeachment Uli: Susuportahan mo ba ang ikalawang kaso ng impeachment laban kay Pangulong Arroyo? Himself TV Episode
Department of Education: Sapat ba ang tugon nga gobyerno sa mga problema? Himself TV Episode
2005 ABS-CBN Reports: Issue ng Pangulo Himself television

[edit] References

  1. ^ Under Article 10, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, locally-elected officials (including members of the House of Representatives) may run up to three consecutive terms.
  2. ^ a b Congress Curriculum Vitae
  3. ^ a b c d Chiz the whiz takes aim at the Upper House Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved December, 2006.
  4. ^ a b Personal Information
  5. ^ a b c d e f Lost cause gives solon his shining moments Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  6. ^ a b c About Representative Chiz G. Escudero www.chizescudero.com Retrieved 7 December, 2006.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Makati Business Club Congress Watch www.mbc.com.ph Retrieved 23 November, 2006.
  8. ^ a b c Official website of Francis Escudero Retrieved 6 February 2007.
  9. ^ Political Informationwww.i-site.ph Retrieved 7 December, 2006.
  10. ^ a b Escudero files candidacy to stop intrigues Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  11. ^ The Hope of the Philippines Asiaweek Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  12. ^ The voting continuesPhilippine Center for Investigative Journalism Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  13. ^ impeach GMA bid stalls Philippine News Online May 24, 2006.
  14. ^ a b Church refuses to back Arroyo impeachment Philippine News Online 12 July, 2006.
  15. ^ Impeachment 2005 and 2006: How the congressmen votedPhilippine Center for Investigative Journalism Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  16. ^ Comparative List 2005 and 2006 Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  17. ^ There's no stopping the "cha cha" train www.pcij.org Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  18. ^ An alternative budget for 2007 www.pcjig.org Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  19. ^ The voting continueswww.pcij.org Retrieved 6 December, 2006.

[edit] Additional readings

[edit] External links

[edit] Unofficial links

[edit] Official links

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