Francis Escudero

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 The factual accuracy of this article or section may be compromised due to out-of-date information.
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Hon. Francis Joseph G. Escudero
Francis Escudero
Incumbent
Assumed office 
June 30, 2007
House of Representatives
Minority Floor Leader
In office
July 26, 2004 – June 8, 2007
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Born October 10, 1969 (1969-10-10) (age 38)
Flag of the Philippines Manila, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Political party NPC (1998 to date)
Genuine Opposition (2005 to date)
Spouse Christine Elizabeth R. Flores
Children Ma. Cecilia Escudero and Joaquin Escudero (twins)
Residence Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Manila
Alma mater University of the Philippines
Occupation Politician
Profession Lawyer
Religion Roman Catholic
Website www.chizescudero.com/

Francis Joseph Guevara Escudero (born October 10, 1969), also known as Chiz Escudero, is a Filipino politician who was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2007 with the second largest tally of votes among the senatorial candidates. He had previously served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the 1st District of Sorsogon, and as the Minority Floor Leader of the 13th Congress of the Philippines on his third and last House term[1]. The son of a former cabinet member of the Marcos and Ramos administrations, Escudero is presently a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition and the Secretary General of the United Opposition or UNO.

Contents

[edit] Biography and career

Escudero was born on October 10, 1969 in Manila, Philippines, the middle child of the three children of former Agriculture Secretary Salvador "Sonny" H. Escudero III and educator Evelina B. Guevara. His father was elected in 2007 to the House seat vacated by his son. The film director Don Escudero is a brother of the Senator.[2]

Escudero is married to the former Christine Elizabeth R. Flores who is a singer and stage actress. They have two children, fraternal twins, born September 7, 2007.[3]

[edit] Education

Escudero attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He earned his Bachelor's Degree 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.[citation needed] 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.

[edit] Private sector

Prior to becoming a lawyer, 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. [5]

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 a 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 hosted Ngayon na Pinoy, a television program that aired on RPN 9.[5] He anchored the radio programs "Magandang Umaga, Bayan," at the Angel Radio, DZAR 1026 AM, Usapang de Campanilla and Usapang Legal, both at DZMM. [5][6] He penned a column, "Usapang Legal ni Chiz Escudero" (later renamed "Say Chiz") in the newspapers Abante and Abante Tonite.

On July 3, 2000, Escudero was named a Commander of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command. [5]

[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. [7] 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. [5] 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. [5]

Escudero was the campaign spokesperson for the defeated Philippine presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. [7] 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]

Despite being a vocal oppositionist, he has not filed any bills of note during his stint in congress.

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." [10]

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." [10]

[edit] 2007 senatorial bid

 The factual accuracy of this article or section may be compromised due to out-of-date information.
You can improve the article by updating it. There may be information on the talk page.(July 2007)
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. [11]

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.[11]

According to the partial and official counts by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Congressman Escudero is 2nd in the current senatorial race, behind Loren Legarda.[citation needed]

[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] Honors

  • 2008, World Economic Forum list of Young Global Leaders[19][20]

[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. ^ Inquirer.net, Senator Escudero a new dad
  4. ^ a b Personal Information
  5. ^ a b c d e f Makati Business Club Congress Watch www.mbc.com.ph Retrieved 23 November, 2006.
  6. ^ a b c About Representative Chiz G. Escudero www.chizescudero.com Retrieved 7 December, 2006.
  7. ^ a b Lost cause gives solon his shining moments Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 6 December, 2006.
  8. ^ Official website of Francis Escudero Retrieved 6 February 2007.
  9. ^ Political Informationwww.i-site.ph Retrieved 7 December, 2006.
  10. ^ a b Chiz the whiz takes aim at the Upper House Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved December, 2006.
  11. ^ a b Escudero files candidacy to stop intrigues Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  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. ^ www.cbc.ca, Tories' Baird, CBC's Layfield make list of top young global leaders
  20. ^ globalnation.inquirer.net, Escudero, DiCaprio among WEF’s young leader awardees

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

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Senators of the 14th Congress of the Philippines
Term ends June 30, 2010
Term ends June 30, 2013
Angara · Aquino · Arroyo · A. P. Cayetano · Escudero · Honasan · Lacson · Legarda · Pangilinan · Trillanes  · Villar · Zubiri
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