Transcript of interview with Sen. Chiz Escudero - Headstart

PROGRAM: HEADSTART
STATION: ANC

DAVILA: Joining us on Hot Copy, Team PNoy senatorial candidate, re-electionist, Sen. Chiz Escudero is with us this morning. Good Morning to you, senator.

FGE: Karen, good morning. Sa ating mga televiewers, magandang umaga din po. Good morning.

DAVILA: Alright, you've always been a topnotcher, number two, actually it's a statistical tie with Sen. Loren Legarda over the past few months, unbeatable. Suddenly, you go down to number 3 or 4 in the latest survey with JV Ejercito and I can't remember the other one actually. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano taking over you. I mean, are you alarmed?

FGE: Lahat naman ng survey Karen pinaniniwalaan, pinag-aaralan namin at kinokonsidera namin. Hindi mo ko mahuhuli Karen, tulad ng ibang pulitiko, na pag mataas sa survey, totoo daw. Pag mababa, hindi na raw totoo. Lahat yan totoo. These are snapshots of our people's opinion. But at the end of the day, I've always said number one, boto pa rin sa araw ng eleksyon ang binibilang. Pangalawa, 1 o 12 man, pareho lang naman ang sweldo, ang term at ang titulo, senador pa rin ang tawag.

DAVILA: Tama ka doon. Pero alam mo, you've always been touted as, you're the shoo-in for the vice presidency for 2016. I've spoken to some critics who said if Chiz won't become number 1 or 2, his aura of invincibility or extreme popularity goes away. Suddenly you're equal to every other senator in 2016.

FGE: Magaling ang mga analysts, Karen. Bago mag eleksyon palagi pero pagdating ng eleksyon, palaging nagbabago 'yan. Let me say this without arguing with them, 1 o 12 man, kung tignan mo ang recent history natin, yung mga nagta-top, hindi naman sila 'yung napupwesto sa pangulo o ikalawang pangulo man. Yung aura of invincibility, hindi naman importante at mahalaga 'yan sa eleksyon. Hindi mahina ang botante, Karen. Matalino at alam ang kanilang ginagawa at nais piliin. Halimbawa, si Pangulong Aquino nung tumakbo noong 2010, noong 2007 bago siya tumakbo nasa number 6 siya, yung mga nag number 1, 'yun ang mga hindi nanalo noong nagdaang halalan. Kung titingnan mo yung aura of invincibility rin, may ilang kandidato noong nagdaang eleksyon na may aura of invincibility na sure win na.

DAVILA: Manny Villar.

FGE: Pero pagdating ng eleksyon nagdesisyon pa rin 'yung mga botante. It's not a game that analysts would love to play before the elections. At the end of the day, it's the people choice.

DAVILA: I've spoken to some people about your dip in the surveys. Well, actually it's not that dip except you've been consistently statistical tied between 1 and 2. Some people's comments, you weren't working as hard compared to 2007, people saw you out there, you are on national TV, you know with major issues now you're on Facebook having vacations.

FGE: May isyu kasi Karen, actually 'yung bakasyon ko noon hindi nilalagay sa Facebook, 'yun ang pagkakaiba. Nagbakasyon din ako noon. Number two, 'yung galaw at kilos namin, pareho din tulad ng dati, mas hectic pa nga...

DAVILA: May nagsabi nga tamad daw si Chiz ngayong kampanya.

FGE: Well, marami nang magaling pagdating sa bagay na 'yan pag may lumalabas na numero. Pero ang pagkakaiba Karen, oposisyon kami noon, we were fighting the administration of GMA. Now we are allied with the administration, malaki palagi ang pagkakaiba 'nun. Pagdating sa airtime, pagdating sa mga sinasabi, magkaibang magkaiba 'yun kung oposisyon at administrasyon ka. At ang isang malaking pagkakaiba, tulad noong 2007, kulang pa rin kami sa resources. Kaya nga naiinggit ako doon sa mga top spenders dahil hindi pa kami nag aadvertise bago nangyari ang lahat ng 'yan. Dahil ang kaya lamang naming gastusin is for second half of the campaign, not the first half.

DAVILA: But Bobby Ongpin is your campaign donor?

FGE: No.

DAVILA: 2013?

FGE: No. He has never been known to interfere with the politics. 'Yung negosyo naman niya hiwalay sa anumang regulasyon ng gobyerno and he managed to be that way ever since. 'Yung relasyon namin magkakaibigan, magkaibigan pero walang kinalaman sa pulitika 'yun.

DAVILA: Alright, okay. Now Erap. There are talks that allegedly, I hope that, well former President Estrada might be watching, but there are talks that Erap's camp is behind this? Do you believe that there could be some truth na ino-operate ka?

FGE: Wala akong ebidensya Karen. Pero sa pulitika lahat ng bagay palaging posible. Sa tinagal-tagal ko sa pulitika, hindi na ako magugulat, kung anu-anong tsismis ang lumalabas kaliwa't kanan. Kung totoo man o hindi, wala naman na sigurong makakaalam o makaka-confirm 'nun. But from where we're coming from, hopefully we should be able to withstand any attacks. Hopefully we should be able to still stand after the malicious attacks against us especially if they are not true.

DAVILA: Yes. But you did come out against former President Estrada at one time, it was the front page of the Inquirer that you did where he was speaking badly about you?

FGE: We didn't come out against him. In fact, ang sinabi ko lang ay 'yung pinarating sa amin na kung hindi pa ba naman sapat 'yung paglaglag sa amin, kailangan pa bang mangampanya laban sa amin? Ayon sa parating ng ilang mga local officials na nakausap namin nung kami'y naglibot. Hindi atake kay dating Pangulong Estrada 'yun. It was merely a statement of fact.

DAVILA: Okay. So moving on now to your love life. I'm gonna ask you a question that many people won't ask. Why do you have this controversial choices in women? I mean, who chooses them for you? Do you have a third eye?

FGE: Karen, may kasabihan nga sila, ika nga, 'mind over heart o heart over mind.' Hindi mo dapat ginagamit at hindi mo dapat pinapadiktahan ang puso mo sa sinumang interes, anumang panahon at sinumang tao.

DAVILA: But, ito ang tanong ng marami, is Heart good for you?

FGE: That's an unfair question both to her and to me. Mula't mula hiniwalay ko ang pag-ibig o personal kong buhay sa trabaho ko. Hindi ko pinagsasama 'yun. In fact, from the start, and I've stood by that, maraming nagsabi na yung relasyong pinasukan ko kay Heart ay para sa eleksyon, para magamit, para sumikat, para dalhin sa kampanya. I stood on the statement that I made way before the election period started - na hiwalay 'yun. May sarili siyang trabaho, hindi ko isasama ang personal kong buhay sa pulitika and she has never, and she will not accompany me this campaign because she has work to do as well at may sarili siyang kailangang gawin.

DAVILA: Okay. Have you reached out to Heart's parents?

FGE: That's a difficult question Karen, because to begin with, we did not do anything wrong. Wala kaming pinakitang masama at wala kaming ginawang masama. 'Yung sinasabi ng ilan na magsibak ng kahoy, mag igib ng tubig, hindi naman namin hindi ginawa 'yun. Kaya nga ang laking gulat namin nung maraming sinabi sa presscon na mga bagay bagay na hindi namin nakita, naranasan o inasahan.

DAVILA: Okay. Now, I have some sources who told me that Heart's parents and Erap are very close. And there are talks that, in a way, this is not in any way to offend the Ongpaucos in case they are watching, is that there could be some link between politics and they're coming out against you that it was planned. Some people have commented that she was reading a speech. Do you think that there's a connection with Erap and the family?

FGE: Ayoko nang isipin 'yun Karen. Mas gusto ko sanang isipin for Heart's sake, sana maayos, magkasundo muli sila at sana hindi na madagdagan 'yung bangayan, ingay dahil humingi na ako ng paumanhin minsan. Paumanhin sa publiko na nadadamay sila sa isang personal na bagay na hindi naman namin ginusto at ayoko nang dagdagan pa rin 'yun dahil baka humaba pa ang kwento. Mas nais kong pag-usapan sana sa halalang ito at least, in so far as we and other candidates are concerned, sana pag-usapan 'yung isyu, 'yung problema at ayokong dagdagan 'yung pahayag pa dahil baka humaba pa ang kwento.

DAVILA: This is something for the voters. They've accused you that in two (inaudible), alam mo naman ang botante ikaw ang idolo ng kabataan. So ito yung factor that does matter. They've said, lasinggero ka, I mean, hindi daw maganda ang ugali mo. So imagine kung nabasa 'yun ng isang botante at 18-19 year old. Ramon Tulfo said 'Get help for your alcoholism,' did you read that?

FGE: I don't want to dignify him Karen, quite frankly. Number one, mula noong tumakbo ako, binato na sakin lahat 'yan. 'Yan siguro ang peril ng pagiging batang kandidato. Mula noong una akong tumakbo, when I was 28 years old, yan na ang isyung ginagamit palagi laban sa akin, lasenggo, addict, walang modo.

DAVILA: Pati addict?

FGE: Pati addict. Pati nga sexual preference, iba.

DAVILA: Oo, may balita noon na you were gay.

FGE: Lahat yan nabato at pinagdaanan na namin Karen. Pero naniniwala ako again, mataas ang tiwala't paniniwala ko sa elector at botanteng Pilipino na hindi sa salita lamang ng isa o dalawa o tatlong tao pinaniniwalaan nila ang anumang paninira dahil labing limang taon naman na akong naninilbihan sa pamahalaan at 'ni minsan wala kaming pinakitang ganyang uri ng pag-uugali o pag-asta o mga binabatikos nilang paninira laban sa akin.

DAVILA: Alright another thing. This is for the voting public, you allegedly gave Heart a five... it's not that you gave her a watch. It's the fact that allegedly, it's a five million peso watch from a Chinese supporter. The reason why it matters it's because you're a senator and allegedly, he's a Chinese supporter.

FGE: Karen, imbes na isa-isahin ko 'yan, hayaan mo na lang na sabihin ko lahat ng sinabi at ginagawa nila sa presscon at sa lahat. Iisa lamang naman ang disenyo at sinabi nila. Nais nilang paghiwalayin kami. Ayaw ko nang isa-isahin Karen at sabihin ko na hindi na wala...

DAVILA: But did you gave her a five million peso watch?

FGE: Hindi. Ayoko na ngang isa-isahin na hindi totoo 'yun. Hindi totoong inuubos ko ang grocery ni Heart at pinapakain ko sa mga anak ko, na wala akong kotseng s'ya ang nagpapagasolina. I don't wanna dignify those things really. Hangga't maaari nga, nais ko, iba kasi Karen kung ang kalaban ko sana o kung ang lumalaban sa'kin o nang-aalipusta o nanglalait sa'kin at naninira sa'kin ay kapwa ko kasamahan sa Senado o sa pulitika. Kailangan kong manimbang palagi sa pagsagot dahil magulang ni Heart 'yun. Parents n'ya 'yun. At nananatili ang pagnanais at kagustuhan syempre nya, ko, namin, na maayos ito. At walang may gusto naman nito. So, iba siguro 'pag kandidato rin sa pagka-senador ang nagsasabi n'yan Karen. Walang preno siguro ang bibig ko sa pagsagot at pagsabi ng diretso.

DAVILA: Oo, oo.

FGE: Pero pagdating sa mga personal na bagay, mas ninanais ko kahit na ako pa 'yung tamaan. Kahit ako na 'yung dehado. Mas pipiliin kong hindi sumagot at idamay ang publiko sa mga bagay na ito.

DAVILA: Alright. Okay. You are anti-divorce?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: Now, you had wanted cheaper annulment for all?

FGE: More affordable and accessible Karen.

DAVILA: Okay. And you are annulled?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: But you are being hit by the family that you cannot give her a Church wedding, which by the way, just for the record, I do not have a church wedding. I mean, I don't. My husband is annulled and he is not annulled in the Catholic Church but civilly, he is. So, this is, I wanted to ask you, if it changes your views on anything? I doubt if you can get a Church annulment?

FGE: Why Karen? It's under process as we speak.

DAVILA: Really? I mean, you're willing that it goes to the Vatican? Parang si Sharon Cuneta lang yata ang nagka-Church annulment.

FGE: Actually, hindi naman totoo 'yun Karen.

DAVILA: Ha?

FGE: Hindi totoo 'yun. Hindi totoong kailangang aprubahan sa Vatican. Pwedeng i-veto ng Vatican, pero bakit naman papakialaman pa ng Vatican 'yan.

DAVILA: So, dito sa Pilipinas?

FGE: Sa Pilipinas lahat dinidesisyunan 'yan.

DAVILA: Nagproseso ka na ng church annulment?

FGE: Opo, pero, again, I think that is beside the point because that's not even being talked about with them. And it's unfair to even bring that on the table at this point. That is, if at all, between, between me and Heart. Sana naman bago ibang tao ang makaalam, bago ibang tao pag-usapan 'yan, kami muna 'di ba dapat ang mag-uusap n'yan, sa pagitan naming dalawa, at hindi sa pagitan ninuman?

DAVILA: Okay, alright, your past record this Congress?

FGE: News and current affairs talaga 'to 'di ba?

DAVILA: Kaya nga. (Laughs)

DAVILA: They used me. You've been known, this is actually sad, that you've actually closed the Marcos compensation which is now a law.

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: I mean, you've changed, it's called repatria..

FGE: Reparation.

DAVILA: Reparation. Reparation. I apologize for that. Marcos Reparation, and zero backlog for courts?

FGE: We passed a lot of things. Actually Karen, this Congress, we passed 60 laws to create 400 courts nationwide, para zero backlog tayo. To maintain the ideal case load per court, which is 300 per RTC.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: And 500 per MTC and MTCC. Kung masunod natin 'yang case load na 'yan, dapat hindi tumagal ng tatlong taon ang isang kasong nakabinbin sa lower courts. Aside from the Marcos Reparation Bill, we passed the Anti-Torture Bill...

DAVILA: Hindi, pero may budget ba 'to? Ito muna 'yung zero backlog for courts?

FGE: Ang problema, first come, first served 'yan Karen. Hindi pwedeng budgetan kung walang batas.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: Hindi pwedeng magkabatas, hindi pwedeng ma-implement din 'yan kung walang budget. We have to do this all first, and the Supreme Court, because they have the physical autonomy. They have now the power to create and prioritize, which courts they will create first. Katulad noon, may kailangan nang i-create, walang batas. May budget pero walang batas. Minsan may batas, walang budget.

DAVILA: Okay, alright, 'yung Marcos Reparation, that's in the works. You're gonna be forming a body soon.

FGE: It'll be formed in 30 days. It should be formed in 30 days already, Karen. Probably by the end of, by the middle of this month, dapat naporma na 'yun. At ayon sa batas naming ginawa, mayroong 2 years 'yung commission para i-proseso lahat ng claim, lahat ng papeles at dokumento, and they have to decide on this. And distribute the 10 billion according to the law within the two-year-period.

DAVILA: Okay, alright. Why did you vote against the Sin Tax Bill? I'm quite curious, because people felt, they know that your father was at one point close to Lucio Tan. So, people asked, "Ayan na naman si Chiz, was he protecting Lucio Tan? Why did he vote against the Sin Tax?"

FGE: I have not voted in favor of any tax measures, since I became a congressman and a senator, Karen.

DAVILA: Why is that?

FGE: I still view this, because the Filipino is one of the heavily taxed in the world, as we speak. Pangalawa siguro, I'm being consistent with that position ever since I started in Congress. Wala pa akong binotohang tax measure.

DAVILA: So, hindi ka EVAT?

FGE: I voted against the EVAT, Karen.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: I voted against the, even EPIRA. I voted against the EPIRA. 'Yan ang posisyon ko ever since. And if you looked at studies Karen, they passed this as a health measure, pero 'yung original version ng batas, walang nakalagay na gagastusin sa health. It was clearly, in fact, just look at the committee, Ways and Means Committee. It's a tax measure, plain and simple. Para sa akin may ibang mga pamamaraan para magawa natin, para maiwasan 'yung sinasabi nilang evil sa paninigarilyo at pag-inom. Halimbawa, may matagal tayong batas na nagsasabing, "Bawal magbenta ng sigarilyo at alak sa menor de edad."

DAVILA: Hindi naman sinusunod 'yun.

FGE: Ang tanong ko nga Karen, "May nahuli na ba? May kinasuhan na ba?" Pero, maliwanag na batas 'yun. Sa Pilipinas lang sa pagkaka...

DAVILA: Sa America, mahuhuli ka

FGE: Sa Pilipinas lang alam ko, sa pagkakaalam ko, nagbebenta ng sigarilyong tingi kumpara sa ibang bansa.

DAVILA: Gusto mo ipagbawal 'yun?

FGE: Actually, nasa batas 'yun, na dapat in packs of 20.

DAVILA: Is that right?

FGE: Nasa Internal Revenue Code natin 'yun.

DAVILA: Really?

FGE: Pero tingnan mo Karen. Kapag nagbebenta ng sigarilyo, dalawang packs of 10, naka-tape, o 'yung naka-sachet na tigli-lima, apat 'yung naka-tape na magkakasama, pero pagbili mo syempre pwede mo nang paghiwa-hiwalayin 'yun. 'Pag binibenta na ng takatak boy 'yan, kapag nasa sari-sari store na, syempre bubuksan na 'yun ng sari-sari store owner, dahil ang batas nakalagay lang, mula sa manufacturer. Hindi pwedeng not in packs of 20.

DAVILA: Okay. Now, I'm curious, because you are one of PNoy's closest friends. This bill was his pet bill. And well now, it's a law. But you disagree with these things, I mean you don't support him in his urgent bills?

FGE: I do, Karen. I do, but we have some differences as well. Alam mo Karen, 'pag porket kaibigan mo o kakampi, boto ka ng boto ng nakapikit, pipintasan ka rin. Kapag kaibigan mo at kakampi mo, hindi ka bumoto ng sabay, pipintasan ka rin. Bale para sa'kin, isasantabi ko 'yun at mas isasaalang-alang ko, "Ano ba talaga 'yung paniniwala, tingin at pananaw kong tama?" Kung nagkataon na nagkasabay, nagkasabay. Kasi Karen, magkaibigan lang kami. We don't talk about work and politics. We never see each other. We don't talk about what he should, what he is doing as a President, what I should be doing as a Senator. I think, that's why we get along.

DAVILA: Okay. Hypothetical question, before we go to a break and you have to answer yes or no. This is hypothetical. If PNoy, come the next Congress, you are the last vote, tells you hypothetically, baka nanunood ang Malacañang, "You have to vote against Enrile for the change of Senate leadership." You are the last vote. Will you vote yes or no? Don't give me any other, it's yes or no? And then LP had another candidate.

FGE: I will follow my conscience Karen.

DAVILA: Which is?

FGE: I will follow my conscience.

DAVILA: Ano nga?

FGE: I don't know.

DAVILA: Yes or no nga e. Ito naman.

FGE: But it's unfair na hypothetical, because Sen. Enrile might not even run for another term as Senate President, because of a... well he said it himself. He cannot even campaign that actively, because of certain health concerns that he has right now. If he is healthy enough Karen and if he would like to desire a second term, I see no issue against him, during his incumbency this time.

DAVILA: Now. Let's see, Enrile or Drilon, for Senate Presidency. You are the last vote?

FGE: (Laughs)

DAVILA: You have to choose.

FGE: Karen it's unfair.It's unfair to them and to me.

DAVILA: Sabi mo political questions?

FGE: Oo pero it's unfair to them and to me because they are not even candidates yet and for me to give an answer right now would put me on the sprout, because that might not even happen. Because in the Senate, Karen, people don't even run against each other. Usually if you have the votes, 'yun na 'yun.

DAVILA: Alright, okay, next question. Wait. Are you and Mar in speaking terms?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: How speaking?

FGE: Hi. (Laughs)

FGE: Hindi, nagkakausap kami. In fact, kailan ba kami huling nagkita, about a couple of weeks after the campaign period started at the new LP headquarters in Makati.

DAVILA: So, because the talk is it could be Mar-Chiz for 2016?

FGE: They have the benefit and the right to think about 2016, Karen. Whether it's Senator Estrada, Sec. Roxas, Vice President Binay, ako wala. Kumakandidato ako ngayon. Nakatingin lang ako sa 2013.

DAVILA: Okay. Wait. Another question before we go to a break. How do you feel that the talk is Binay's runningmate for VP is gonna be Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and one of the reasons, that's why you were eased out of UNA is because Jinggoy is already being positioned for the VP post?

FGE: No feelings, Karen, because wala naman kaming usapan. Wala naman kaming kasunduan ni Vice President Binay kaugnay ng bagay na 'yan. I've learned early on in politics, that promises are useless in politics. I never even make one. I never even attempt to get one from anyone.

DAVILA: To get one?

FGE: To get one from anyone in politics. Kasi pag-aawayan n'yo lang 'yun. "Hoy, sabi mo ganito." So, I never asked for anything. And I never expected anything also in so far as what we do for candidates is concerned.

DAVILA: Alright. Okay. We're gonna take a short break. When we return, we continue our conversation with Team PNoy senatorial candidate Chiz Escudero. Hot Copy will be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DAVILA: Welcome back to Hotcopy. We're joined by Team PNoy senatorial candidate Francis "Chiz" Escudero. Alright, follow instructions. I'm gonna flash photos then describe, first word. Describe ha? Go. Okay, first photo. Uy... (Famous cheezy photo of Chiz and Heart)

FGE: Word ba?

DAVILA: Describe.

FGE: (Laughs) Ahm, mala-hihintayin kita sa langit.

DAVILA: (Laughs) Actually, you're right. Was that posed? It cannot be candid.

FGE: If I remember correctly, yes.

DAVILA: That was posed?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: Now, can you tell Heart not to post everything on Facebook? I mean, seriously.

FGE: Again Karen, hiwalay ang personal sa trabaho. Hindi ko pwedeng hayaang makaapekto 'yun sa trabaho...

DAVILA: Parang that's not true. Look what happened to Bill Clinton, walang ganun...

FGE: Well...

DAVILA: Walang hiwalay.

FGE: Hindi pwedeng... alam mo 'yun? Hoy may hindi ka pwedeng gawin dahil may ganto ganyan. Hoy ito lang ang pwede mong gawin dahil sa trabaho ko. That's unfair in a relationship.

DAVILA: Okay. Now I'm curious, would she make a good politician's wife? People have asked me, Karen, she might be...

FGE: Me?

DAVILA: No. She... She might be demanding that's why Chiz isn't in the sorties. I'm just curious ha. I don't want Heart to hit me.

FGE: That's not true.

DAVILA: It's not true.

FGE: That's not true. Matagal ko nang sinabi, hindi ako pala-ralling tao. 'Yun ang ginawa ko noong 2007. 'Yun din ang ginawa ko noong 2010 in so far as Noy-Bi is concerned. Dahil kung hindi ka din lang kakanta, magsasayaw, magpapatawa, may kasamang artista o may give-away na ibabato...

DAVILA: Hindi ka kumakanta no? I mean hindi ka...

FGE: Hindi ka naman papansinin sa rally.

DAVILA: Pero kumakanta ka ba?

FGE: No.

DAVILA: Sa rally hindi talaga?

FGE: Sa banyo. (Laughs)

DAVILA: So you're against singing sa rallies? Honestly, you don't?

FGE: I don't. Ever since I ran Karen in 1998, dahil pag kumanta na 'ko baka hindi na ako manalo.

DAVILA: Okay, now quickly. Do your children like Heart? Have you brought Heart to them?

FGE: They've met. They know each other. Siguro hanggang dun na lang. As much as possible, ayoko silang idamay.

DAVILA: Are your kids' opinion important?

FGE: Yes, of course.

DAVILA: Okay. Have you spoken with your ex-wife?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: A okay. You do? Hindi mamaya baka may...

FGE: Actually we do naman e.

DAVILA: You do? With the kids?

FGE: She's the mother of my kids and we have to talk about their school. Ito, 'yung summer activities, 'yung classes na gagawin nila. We do talk.

DAVILA: But the sad part and I want to add caveat to this, you've been embroiled in such a major controversy but people don't really know that you're a good father. I mean I've seen you with your children, and then when you broke up with your wife, people don't know this, you really took care of your children. They live with you, and you're a full-time dad. I mean that's not in the news too. That's why I wanted to add a caveat.

FGE: Bahagi yun ng pagiging hiwalay ng trabaho sa personal na buhay, Karen. I don't also take advantage or use that for political purpose. Hiwalay na obligasyon ko 'yun sa mga anak ko at hiwalay na dahilan at pagmamahal sa mga anak ko 'yun at walang kinalaman sa pulitika 'yun.

DAVILA: Because people are also... I mean just to be fair, didn't know... We're showing a photo of your ex-wife, that at some point when you broke up you did the groceries for your kids, you put them to bed...

FGE: At least natuto ako. Pero alam mo Karen ang nakaka-touch ngayon and I'm sure you went through that too.

DAVILA: Yeah...

FGE: Since two weeks ago, 'yung mga anak ko na ang nagbabasa sa akin bago sila matulog. Hindi na ako ang nagbabasa sa kanila and it's such a good feeling.

DAVILA: 'Wag mo bigyan ng dyaryo 'yung anak mo.

FGE: Hindi. Binabasa nila 'yung mga story books tapos pag may words silang hindi maintinidihan na susubukan nilang i-pronounce and just before giving up they look at you to ask for help kung paano ipo-pronounce.

DAVILA: What was the last story book they read to you?

FGE: Puro kami Mo Williams e. 'Yung elephant and pig.

DAVILA: Oh really? (Laughs) Okay. Next photo. A there, your two kids. Very quickly. They found it, ang galing nung EP namin a. I don't know where this photo they are showing...

FGE: This was taken at the Brookside, sa park, sa townhouse namin.

DAVILA: Okay. You're not planning to move to Forbes?

FGE: I wish. (Laughs)

DAVILA: You know there are so many senators who live in big villages. I mean people would think just because you have Chinese funders, maybe Bobby Ongpin... I mean is your money stashed in the bag?

FGE: Pangarap ko rin tumira sa isang malaking bahay. Actually Karen, pangarap kong tumira sa bahay. Mula noong humiwalay ako sa magulang ko, townhouse ako nakatira. Pangarap ko rin naman tanggalin 'yung town para maging house na.

DAVILA: Tama naman 'yun. Alright, next photo, describe. (Showing photo of Chiz and ex-wife) Ay, may ganito.

FGE: The mother of my kids and she's happy where she is now, I guess. I'm happy for her too.

DAVILA: Do you still feel angry with her?

FGE: No, Karen. Hindi ako pala-galit at pala-tanim na tao. Sa totoo lang, mahirap matulog sa gabi, kumain, maging masaya at ngumiti kung may tinatanim ka. Wala.

DAVILA: Totoo naman 'yun. Does she have a boyfriend now?

FGE: I don't know.

DAVILA: You don't ask?

FGE: I don't know and I'd rather not say to because she has a private life outside of this interview and my life so I'd rather respect that.

DAVILA: Okay. I'm gonna ask you this and you have to forgive me. Did she cheat on you? Is it the reason you broke up?

FGE: Our differences basically, Karen. It is basically the differences between the two of us. I cannot reveal the contents of the petition for annulment but that was not there.

DAVILA: Okay, next. Aba ang dami namang family pictures a, hindi ko 'to prinepare. Ayan, describe. (Photo of Mrs. Cecile Ongpauco)

FGE: The mother of Heart that she loves dearly and that we both respect.

DAVILA: Does Heart text her by the way?

FGE: I don't know.

DAVILA: Okay. The father.

FGE: Also, the father of Heart that she loves more dearly as far as I know and our respect is still with him and with them even up to now.

DAVILA: Does Heart live with you?

FGE: No.

DAVILA: She lives alone, ha? This is for the record.

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: Yeah. You don't live with her?

FGE: No. (Laughs)

DAVILA: Next. Alright. Oh... (Photo of Bobby Ongpin)

FGE: Despite our age gap, he's nearly... I'm nearly half his age. Actually we get along because I learn a lot from him in terms of financing that I really am not that good about. And he then asks about certain going on in politics too if he's not too well-versed about it.

DAVILA: Okay, alright. The concerns of some voters would be Bobby Ongpin... Okay there's Bobby Ongpin, Heart and you! Oh they really did good research. Are Bobby Ongpin's accounts all frozen?

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: Yes. He comes out in a presscon and said he's angry about this administration. He has already lost more than a billion pesos. The question people would be asking is why would Bobby Ongpin be close to Chiz? He would actually probably ask Chiz for favors about his accounts, or businesses...

FGE: Well you can ask AMLAC. You can ask any administration if I have lifted a finger in so far as that is concerned. But to be fair to Bobby, to be fair to Mr. Ongpin, ika nga Karen sa salitang kanto, matandang dragon na 'yan. He has...

DAVILA: Hindi ka na niya kailangan.

FGE: He has been able to weather any and all the stories in his life in the past, so many decades. He's a seasoned veteran and warrior. Sa totoo lang, the least he would think is my help in so far as this is concerned. But still, let the record speak for itself. If indeed we did anything, lifted a finger, in so far as this issue is concerned.

DAVILA: But you won't?

FGE: No.

DAVILA: You will not?

FGE: Hindi ko kailangan at hindi ko gagawin.

DAVILA: Now, Danding Cojuangco, he was once your funder. Is he still funding you?

FGE: No. If you recall Karen, I resigned from the NPC in 2009. We remained friends.

DAVILA: Okay, you are friends.

FGE: I saw him more than a month ago but we talk about his passion, basketball, cars and guns.

DAVILA: Okay. Now what people may not know, my source tells me is during the last election, it was 2007, Danding Cojuangco funded you and you gave him back money that you didn't spend in the campaign. In other words, is this true that you actually gave back change? You were the... is that true?

FGE: We usually do that, Karen.

DAVILA: Because most politicians pocket them.

FGE: Not only with him, Keran. We usually... Kasi para sa amin, 'yung utang, utang. 'Yung tulong, tulong. Maliwanag 'yun.

DAVILA: So you returned the money? I heard it was something like P60 milllion? Is that a fact?

FGE: Sobra naman 'yung P60 million. (Laughs)

DAVILA: But you returned. He gave you money, tulong, and then what you didn't spend in the campaign binalik mo raw sa kanya.

FGE: Ganun naman kami with everyone, Karen. With everyone. Not necessarily with him.

DAVILA: So it's true?

FGE: With everyone.

DAVILA: So it's true. With your word.

FGE: With everyone.

DAVILA: Okay. Alright, okay, next photo. Uy.

FGE: Former president... I hope I still consider him a close friend...

DAVILA: Hindi daw kayo close friends? Joke.

FGE: I still consider him. In spite and despite nilaglag kami sa UNA... Alam mo 'yung mga sinasabi... Para sa'kin pulitika lang 'yan, Karen e'. Napagdaanan ko na rin 'yan. Hindi ako nagtatanim ng anumang sama ng loob ng mga sinasabi at ginagawa sa panahon ng eleksyon at kampanyahan. Kasi kapag ginawa mo 'yan ang lungkot ng buhay mo.

DAVILA: Oo. Would you give up politics for anything and anyone?

FGE: Easily, Karen.

DAVILA: For what?

FGE: It's always greener on the other side of the fence. This morning when I woke up, I thought about that already. I think about that constantly. Siguro that's one thing that makes PNoy and I click. We both...

DAVILA: Can walk away?

FGE: Talk...Talk of the days na wala na itong lahat, na we can do what we want. We can live simply and quietly and outside the public eye.

DAVILA: Yeah. Why don't you set him up on a date?

FGE: (Laughs)

DAVILA: I mean I think the president...

FGE: Ayokong panghimasukan 'yun dahil baka sabihin niya, "Excuse me, hindi yata ikaw ang dapat kong kunan ng advice tungkol sa..." (Laughs)

DAVILA: Okay, alright. Next, next photo... Next.

FGE: Again, I still consider him a dear friend. Wala kaming pinag-awayan ni Vice President Binay. If at all there are any differences, these are mainly political. Lilipas 'yung panahon ng pulitika sa buhay niya. Lilipas din ang panahon ng pulitika sa buhay ko. Sana naroon pa din 'yung pagkakaibigan.

DAVILA: Now, would you vote for him on 2016?

FGE: It depends, Karen. I don't know yet what he is running for and I don't know yet what I will be running for, if ever.

DAVILA: Ay! Would you run for president for 2016?

FGE: Again, I don't know. These are all hypothetical questions, are dangerous because of modern media.

DAVILA: Yeah. But you're partyless?

FGE: But whatever it is that I say now, if I'm running with someone else or if I'm running, assuming for that position, this interview would be aired like what you did kanina. I don't know (laughs)

DAVILA: Wait, I'm curious kanina. Would you create a party? Or would you join LP? Ito serious.

FGE: I have no plans, Karen.

DAVILA: To what?

FGE: Of doing that. Of doing both the two things that you said.

DAVILA: To create a party or join the LP.

FGE: Yes.

DAVILA: Okay. Alright. Felix asks how would that controversy, this is from Twitter ha, not my question anymore. How would the controversy with Heart's parents make you a better politician? That's a good question. Well, that's a good question.

FGE: Well, hopefully, it already did. We exercise restraint. We apologize for involving the public in a private matter although we didn't want to do that. Hindi namin ginusto't, hindi namin gagawin 'yun.

DAVILA: Were you humbled? Kumbaga sinabi mo kasi nun in a presscon na parang “wala silang karapatan na yurakan ang pagkatao ko.” That’s quite strong.

FGE: E’ kasi naman, Karen, di ba? Nagpapa-gas ng oto ko, girlfriend ko.

DAVILA: Nainsulto ka dun?

FGE: ‘Yung pinapakain ko sa anak ko.

DAVILA: Yeah.

FGE: Hindi naman din sigurong tama na idamay din sila.

DAVILA: Yeah.

FGE: So for me, we have always been that way. Hindi kami nagmalaki, hindi kami naman naging arogante. In fact, Karen, kung pagbabasehan mo lamang, halimbawa, sa mga pulitiko, incumbent man o tumatakbo, kami siguro may pinakakonting kasama kahit kailan. Madalas nga mag-isa pa kong nagmamaneho. Hanggang ngayon. Walang nagbago nun. Bago ‘yun, ganun pa rin ako.

DAVILA: No, you don’t have a bodyguard?

FGE: Wala kaming hilig sa mga ganun...

DAVILA: Wala ka nga. Yeah, you don’t? You don’t even have a driver? No, you have a driver.

FGE: ‘Pag may lakad na…

DAVILA: Only.

FGE: ‘Pag may lakad na opisyal. Pero kapag ‘yung pribadong lakad, maganda rin namang magpahinga sila. Para... Tsaka nag-e-enjoy din ako magmaneho.

DAVILA: Alright, from viewers… Ito viewers na ‘to. We just have four minutes left. Jenny wants to know, do you have plans to make peace with Heart’s parents and how are you coping with all these?

FGE: Well, definitely, yes. Definitely, yes. Wala kaming pintuang sinasara. Siyempre sino ba naman ang may ayaw nun? Pero hindi ko maikakaila ito rin siguro ang pinakamabigat na pagsubok sa aming relasyon, aming ugnayan ni Heart.

DAVILA: Are you really committed to Heart?

FGE: Lahat naman sigurong relasyong pinapasukan mo, Karen, gusto mong pangmatagalan at ‘yun na ‘yun. Wala naman sigurong pumapasok sa relasyon na two weeks lang o three weeks lang.

DAVILA: Ano ka ba, may lalaking ganun ha.

FGE: Hindi ako..

DAVILA: May lalaking ganun. Ito naman.

FGE: For example, Karen, I only have one girlfriend before I got married. We were together for nine years.

DAVILA: Are you... Are you serious?

FGE: We were together for nine years.

DAVILA: And then you got married?

FGE: And then I got married na.

DAVILA: Yeah, yeah. To Cristine.

FGE: So…

DAVILA: So, you never had wild days of sleeping around, partying.

FGE: No. Unfortunately, maliit ako nun, Karen. Lahat ng babae na ka-batch ko mas malalaki sa’kin (laughs).

DAVILA: Well, so you just, I mean you must have been… you were a nerd? Yes?

FGE: Not really. It’s sad to say I was a nerd dahil hindi naman ako honor nung college. (laughs)

DAVILA: You were… so what?

FGE: Maliit lang ako nun at payat. Maliit at payat ako nun.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: In fact, nagka-girlfriend ako third year college na.

DAVILA: Wow! That’s pretty wholesome.

FGE: Third year college na.

DAVILA: Okay. Kim asks…

FGE: Ganun? Wholesome?

DAVILA: Alright, do you support teachers, education? What laws have you passed concerning this? Good question.

FGE: A law is not necessary. Actually, by mere policy, by executive fee this can be done and we have been pushing for this. Subsidy by state, by government, in so far as training of our teachers is concerned.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: Kasi ang ginagawa ng DepEd, ang pananaw nila, dahil X months in a year lang, hindi naman 365 days nagtratrabaho ang mga teacher.

DAVILA: Yeah.

FGE: Sabado wala naman klase. So, ‘yung..

DAVILA: Pero boto ka ba dun ‘yung gusto ng CHED in 2018, ‘yung basic college courses? Parang… But it’s just like one year.

FGE: Cast in stone na kasi ‘yung K+12, Karen, pero matagal ko ng sinasabi din ‘yan. I have been hit for this, but, ako, ‘yun naman talaga paniniwala ko e’.

DAVILA: Are you against K+12?

FGE: No, Karen.

DAVILA: No. You are pro?

FGE: Yes. But CHED regularly reviews the curriculum. Madalas kong sinasabi, Karen, I’ve been a lawyer. I’ve been a congressman for nine years and a senator for six years, hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa nagagamit ‘yung trigonometry at calculus na muntik ko pang ibagsak nung college.

DAVILA: Oo.

FGE: Perhaps, they should re-orient it to make it more focused on the course that the students want to take. Kung gusto niyang mag-engineering course or math course, pwede. Pero dun sa mga iba na hindi naman kinakailangan talaga yun, dapat i-review nila. I enrolled my kid, for example, in a school that teaches Chinese, Mandarin...

DAVILA: Okay, that’s good.

FGE: Dahil para sa’kin mas competitive at mas magiging competitive sila ‘pag natutunan at mapag-aralan nila ‘yun. I’m not saying CHED should do that. But CHED should regularly and constantly review the curriculum to make it more adaptable, to make it more relevant to the changing world. It is not and it should not be written in stone.

DAVILA: Alright. 8:54, we have to leave at 8:55, but what, why should… Well, of course, I mean, I am quite sure you’re gonna win. But the question is, why should they vote for you? What is the toughest challenge for the country in 2013? I mean, I’ve always said this, we have Myanmar opening already, I mean businesses coming in Myanmar. So many other Asian countries are already hitting, I mean, we have good numbers but what is, what should we prioritize come 2013?

FGE: That was the priority of the government and should continue to be the priority of the government. Two things lang, Karen, sustain growth and make sure that it is inclusive to trickle down. The only way for it to actually trickle down would be, if we are actually able to provide jobs and…

DAVILA: Okay. Manufacturing?

FGE: Down the line.

DAVILA: Okay.

FGE: Manufacturing is the key and we should be able to find our comparative advantage in relation to our neighbors in other countries and find that niche. All it takes is to be able to find that niche and once we find it, we should concentrate on it and never let go.

DAVILA: Okay. You are number… 5? ano ka ba?

FGE: Sa’n?

DAVILA: Sa Senate... sa ballot.

FGE: Number 13 kami sa 2013.

DAVILA: Naks! That’s also Friday the 13th. Ang hirap nun… (laughs)

FGE: That election is May 13, 2013 and we’re number 13 in the ballot.

DAVILA: Oh my gosh! Alright, Sen. Chiz Escudero. Thank you very much for coming. Let’s get start today. Replay of this interview is at 6pm tonight. Thank you Twitter. They’ve been saying that we’ve asked Chiz different questions that they’ve never heard anywhere else. Thank you for that comment.