Chiz Escudero and the chase for the elusive redemption arc
When I was a sophomore in college, my extemporaneous speech contest trainer advised me to read as much as I could about politics, economics, sociology, and current events. In my attempt to make things more manageable, I thought of having a role model in my speeches—a man of integrity and a vibrant symbol of eloquence.
I consumed this paper’s opinion pieces every day leading up to the university systemwide competition. I read piles of books and practiced nonstop. Ultimately, I won and emerged as a champion after weeks of preparation. And my hero? Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
He was a politician known for his oratory skills. I was entranced by his intelligence, wit, and style. I patterned my delivery—minus his trademark use of excessive synonyms in a sentence—with his pacing, confidence, and impeccable flow. That was the Escudero I knew. Dignified. Admirable.
When Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago died, I found consolation in knowing that we still have Escudero in government. He was considered by many as one of the country’s best legal minds. In 2025, the man I thought I knew, as a student of history and Philippine politics, seemed to have lost his way in the process.
We witnessed how the majority of the senators in the 20th Congress overthrew him as their leader. The final straw that led to his downfall was when it was revealed that his contractor-friend donated a whopping P30 million during his campaign. There was public outcry. Social media feeds and those in his leadership team condemned him. Legal minds opined that he may have committed a grave violation of election laws and restrictions on campaign contributions.
The message was crisp. The public has had enough. To protect the Senate as an institution, Escudero must vacate his post. The news of his resignation was sold to the public instead of a coup d’état to save his face. Then, Sen. Vicente Sotto III was elected new Senate president after getting 15 nods in the upper chamber.
Several months ago, Escudero baffled me with his alleged lackadaisical handling of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, his annoying insistence on redefining the word “forthwith” as not immediately, and his unspeakable air of swagger with a tinge of ignorance during press conferences on the plight and sentiments of those who see themselves as neither Diehard Duterte Supporters nor Marcos followers. In his universe, those who push for the VP’s impeachment trial were Marcos loyalists or “pinklawans.” Meanwhile, those who strive for the Senate to abandon the impeachment process were for the Dutertes. He missed the mark when he forgot about the third group that sincerely cares about the Philippines and wants accountability to come into fruition, regardless of the political colors, of which I am a part.
In a viral commencement speech, University of the Philippines professor emeritus Maria Serena Diokno criticized Escudero’s poor maneuverings on these critical, delicate subjects during his Senate presidency. Will he surmount the ongoing tsunami of corruption allegations? Is his recent move of showing up at the Senate floor to abandon the dubious, controversy-ridden Cayetano-led Senate leadership and support the Senate minority bloc enough to fuel a political redemption arc? The Filipino people are watching.
Benre J. Zenarosa,
