Congressman Francis Escudero, or Chiz as he’s often called, has parlayed his boyish looks to good use. At age 37, he’s been a member of the House of Representatives for three terms and has become the de facto voice of the opposition because he obliges television news reporters the pithy quote or sound bite on just about any political issue.

He is articulate in both English and Tagalog and his cool, sometimes flat delivery, belies the often fiery content of his statements. Watching Escudero on TV, someone once remarked, “Tignan mo yan, hindi kumukurap.”

In both the literal and figurative sense, the congressman has not blinked when it comes to controversy.

His nationwide popularity began when he acted as spokesperson for the failed presidential bid (many say cheated) of Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004. In fact, in one of the concluding reports on the seemingly railroaded closure of Poe’s election protest, where Escudero shone brilliantly, a leading Filipino broadsheet gushed, “A star is born.”

Young though he is, the Congressman has represented the first district of Sorsogon for the past eight years and has been the House Minority Leader for the past three years. “I’ve learned everything the hard way,” he said on preparing to become a House Minority Leader. “I have studied every nook and cranny of the job by seriously putting myself in the line of fire, so to speak, by facing every imaginable challenge that comes with the position.”

A new goal

On his third and last term, Escudero has set his sight on the Senate in the coming 2007 elections. With his popularity, it’s not hard to predict he’ll win easily. Especially since he and the opposition remained steadfast in their stand against the Administration’s open campaign to amend the Constitution and introduce a parliamentary form of government. Escudero and the opposition (as well as many observers) see this as a crude attempt to postpone this year’s elections.

So the Senate slot seems like a done deal, backed not only by his visibility but also by his solid credentials. He has been consistently voted as most outstanding solon and cited as an exceptional public servant by many organizations since 1998.

Poring over his record, it looks as if he’s primed himself to achieve a lot at an early age. He started as a municipal councilor at age 22, but his family, led by his father, former Agriculture Secretary Salvador Escudero III, urged him to bolster his credentials by going back to school.

So he took up Law in U.P., graduating with honors in 1993. He later went to Georgetown University Law Center in Washington for his Master’s Degree in International and Comparative Law. After that, he was partner in a law firm, and dispensed legal advice and opinion as columnist for the tabloids Abante and Abante Tonite. He was also program anchor in Usapang de Campanilla over radio station DZMM. He ran and won as member of the House of Representatives in 1998.

He is also a commander of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command.

Preparations and achievements

As a member of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Escudero and the opposition successfully strengthened the United Opposition by having the Commission on Elections declare them a political party. They hope to tackle the administration as a single but united opposition. He thinks, however, that a “third force” may still turn up. “They will perhaps play it ‘safe’ and try to present themselves as neither administration nor opposition,” he said.

Given the recent typhoons which sideswiped Sorsogon, Escudero is busy looking after the needs of his constituents while keeping a close eye on the still smoldering issue of charter change.

As for the coming elections, Escudero says his presence in many functions and affairs are par for the course. “I have been doing the rounds from day one regardless of the season,” he said. “I get invited to all parts of the country all the time, to weddings and baptisms, to graduations and inductions of officers, to ribbon cuttings and fiestas, etc.”

Escudero concludes his three terms in Congress satisfied with what he’s done. “Naipakita ko at napatunayan ko na pwede at kaya naman, sa lahat ng oras at panahon, na labanan ang mali at ipagtanggol kung ano ang tama.”

Chiz E personal tales
Chiz Escudero had just gotten married when he rushed headlong into the national political maelstrom by being the level-headed spokesperson for his ninong, presidential candidate FPJ. Since then he’s been visible and unstoppable.

So how does he try to balance the demands of politics with the demands of maintaining a good marriage and hopefully raising children?

“It is definitely tough being a politician as it takes most of your time and energy away from everything else. It is not quite an 8am – 5pm job, but having a loving and understanding wife, who tries her best to make our home and our marriage my refuge from the rigors of work, makes it easier for me to balance and prioritize,” says Chiz. “My wife and I can still lead a normal, private life despite (my) being in this active position.”

Chiz and his wife, Christine Elizabeth R. Flores, a former stage actress, hope to have children someday.

Once a chain smoker, Chiz confides that he’s still trying, really, to kick the habit. “I’ve actually gone a long way because I don’t smoke in the house anymore, and whenever my wife is around.” He laughs. “She has stopped already and she’s now trying to make me (stop, too).”

Asked if he had any other vice, Chiz said it has to be his love and passion for vintage cars. Chiz tinkers with old cars, restoring them to their old glory. In fact, Escudero likes going to his friend’s auto shop to banter with the mechanics.