Francis Escudero facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francis "Chiz" Escudero
Official portrait, 2022
25th President of the Senate of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office May 20, 2024
Preceded by	Migz Zubiri
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2019
Senate committee chairmanships Chair of the Senate Higher, Technical and Vocational Education Committee In office June 30, 2022 – May 22, 2024 Preceded by Joel Villanueva Succeeded by Alan Peter Cayetano Chair of the Senate Education, Arts and Culture Committee In office February 27, 2017 – June 30, 2019 Preceded by Bam Aquino Succeeded by Win Gatchalian (as Chair of the Senate Basic Education, Arts and Culture) Chair of the Senate Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies Committee In office July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2019 Preceded by Sergio Osmeña III Succeeded by Grace Poe Chair of the Senate Finance Committee In office July 22, 2013 – July 28, 2015 Preceded by Franklin Drilon Succeeded by Loren Legarda Chair of the Senate National Defense and Security Committee In office July 26, 2010 – July 22, 2013 Preceded by Rodolfo Biazon Succeeded by Antonio Trillanes Chair of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee In office July 23, 2007 – July 22, 2013 Preceded by Juan Ponce Enrile Succeeded by Aquilino Pimentel III
House Minority Leader
In office July 26, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Carlos M. Padilla
Succeeded by	Ronaldo Zamora
Member of the House of Representatives from Sorsogon's 1st district
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Salvador Escudero
Succeeded by	Salvador Escudero
23rd Governor of Sorsogon
In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Vice Governor	Manuel Fortes
Preceded by	Robert Lee Rodrigueza
Succeeded by	Jose Edwin Hamor
Personal details
Born	Francis Joseph Guevara Escudero (1969-10-10) October 10, 1969 (age 55) Manila, Philippines
Political party	NPC (1998–2009; 2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2009–2018)
Spouses	Christine Flores ​ ​ (m. 2005; annulled 2011)​ Heart Evangelista ​ (m. 2015)​
Relations	Mart Escudero (nephew)
Children	2
Parents	Salvador Escudero (father) Evelina Escudero (mother)
Education	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B.) Georgetown University (LL.M.)
Signature

Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero (born October 10, 1969) is a Filipino politician and lawyer. He became the 25th President of the Senate of the Philippines in May 2024.

Escudero has been a senator since 2022. He also served as a senator from 2007 to 2019. Before that, he was the Governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022. He was also a representative for Sorsogon's 1st district from 1998 to 2007. During his time in the House, he was the House minority leader from 2004 to 2007. In 2016, he ran for Vice President of the Philippines but was not successful.

Chiz Escudero comes from a family of politicians in Sorsogon. He studied at the University of the Philippines from kindergarten all the way through law school. Later, he earned a master's degree in law from Georgetown University in the United States. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and a teacher.

Early Life and Education

Francis Joseph Guevara Escudero was born in Manila on October 10, 1969. He is the second of three children. His father, Salvador Escudero, and mother, Evelina Escudero, were both involved in politics. His father served as a government minister and a representative. His mother also served as a representative. His grandfather and great-grandfather were also public servants in Sorsogon.

Escudero attended the University of the Philippines for all his schooling. He went to University of the Philippines Integrated School for elementary and high school. He then earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1989. He completed his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993.

While at UP, Escudero was part of the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity. He was also a member of their debating team. He was a good student and was part of the UP Law Honor Society. He also served as the Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines.

Early Career

Before becoming a lawyer, Escudero worked as a teaching assistant at UP. He also worked as a junior political analyst. After getting his law degree, he joined a law firm in 1993. He later became a partner at his own law firm, EMSAVIL Law. He still works with this firm today.

In 1996, Escudero earned his master's degree in International and Comparative Law. He got this degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.. Besides his law practice, he taught at the UP College of Law and Ateneo de Manila University.

Escudero also worked in media for a time. He hosted a TV program called "Ngayon na Pinoy" and anchored several radio shows. He also wrote a column for two tabloids.

Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Escudero's interest in politics began in the 1980s. He helped with his father's local campaigns. He wanted to run for public office when he was 22, and again at 25. However, his family wanted him to finish his law studies first.

Serving in the House of Representatives (1998–2007)

Representative Escudero in 2007

Escudero started his political career at age 28. He was elected as a representative for the first district of Sorsogon in 1998. He was one of the youngest lawmakers in the 11th Congress of the Philippines. He was a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition party.

He held various leadership roles in the House of Representatives. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the Minority Floor Leader. This meant he was the leader of the political group not in power. While in Congress, Escudero worked to make Sorsogon a city. This happened in 2000, merging two towns into Sorsogon City.

In 2004, Escudero was a spokesperson for presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.. After the election, there were claims of voting fraud. Escudero supported efforts to investigate these claims. He voted against dismissing complaints against the president at the time. He believed that the search for truth was important. He also opposed attempts to change the Constitution, believing they were meant to keep certain people in power.

Becoming a Senator (2007–2019)

Senator Escudero during a session with the Philippine Senate, September 24, 2014

In 2007, Escudero ran for the Senate of the Philippines. He won with a high number of votes. In the Senate, he led several important committees. These included committees on Justice and Human Rights, Ways and Means, and Finance.

In 2009, Escudero left his political party and became an independent politician. He was expected to run for president but decided not to. Instead, he supported the team of Senator Benigno Aquino III and Mayor Jejomar Binay. They both won their elections.

Escudero ran for reelection as senator in 2012 and won another term. He continued to chair important committees, including the Finance Committee.

Running for Vice President (2016)

Chiz Escudero declares his vice presidential bid, September 18, 2015

In 2015, Escudero resigned from his role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. He did this because he was considering running for a higher office. On September 15, 2015, he officially announced his candidacy for Vice President of the Philippines. He ran as the running mate of presidential candidate Grace Poe.

Many political groups and officials supported the Poe-Escudero team. Early in the campaign, Escudero was leading in opinion polls for vice president. However, his numbers later dropped. After the election on May 9, 2016, Escudero conceded the race. He placed fourth among the candidates.

Governor of Sorsogon (2019–2022)

Escudero was elected Governor of Sorsogon in 2019. He served one term, from June 30, 2019, to June 30, 2022.

Return to the Senate (2022–Present)

In the 2022 elections, Escudero ran for senator again. He was supported by then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Escudero won, finishing fifth with over 20 million votes.

President of the Senate (2024–Present)

Escudero (left) during President Bongbong Marcos's 2024 State of the Nation Address

On May 20, 2024, Escudero was elected the 25th President of the Senate of the Philippines. He replaced Migz Zubiri. Senator Mark Villar swore him into office. His wife, Heart Evangelista, was with him. As Senate President, he oversaw the election of other senators to leadership roles. President Bongbong Marcos supported Escudero's new role.

Escudero was re-elected as President of the Senate for the 20th Congress of the Philippines.

Political Stances

South China Sea

Escudero has spoken about the Spratly Islands dispute in the South China Sea. After Chinese ships used water cannons on Philippine vessels, he suggested building permanent structures for soldiers and fishermen on Second Thomas Shoal. He believes this would help protect the area.

Relations with China

Escudero has also shared his thoughts on diplomatic relations with China. He advised against recalling the Philippine Ambassador to China. He argued that such an action could make the conflict in the South China Sea worse.

Disaster Preparedness

After the 2022 Luzon earthquake, Escudero proposed creating a new government agency. This agency would focus on disaster readiness and response. He said it would help coordinate aid and funds during emergencies. He shared his own experiences as Governor of Sorsogon, where distributing aid was sometimes difficult.

Personal Life

Escudero has two children, twins named Quino and Chesi, born in 2007. He has custody of his children.

In 2012, he started dating actress and TV host Heart Evangelista. They announced their engagement in 2014 and married on February 15, 2015, on Balesin Island. They renewed their vows on their 9th wedding anniversary in February 2024.

Escudero is a fan of actor Fernando Poe Jr.. He once said he had watched almost all of Poe's movies.

Awards and Recognition

Escudero has received several awards for his work.

• In 1999, he was named Youth Achiever in Government.
• In 2000, he was recognized as Most Outstanding Congressman and Outstanding Public Servant of the Year.
• In 2005, he was one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines. This award recognized his leadership among young people.
• In 2007, he was named one of Asia's Idols by Asia's News Network.
• In 2008, he received the Anak TV Seal as the Most Admired TV Personality.
• The World Economic Forum honored him as a Young Global Leader in 2008. This was for his achievements and potential to help shape the future.
• In 2012, he received the Rotary Golden Wheel Award for Political Governance and Legislation.

Books

• Orteza, Bibeth. (2009). Say ni Chiz (Autobiography of Senator Francis Escudero).

See also

In Spanish: Francis Escudero para niños