Sen. Chiz Escudero Doubts Timing of Flood Control Allegations
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senator claimed that the flood control allegation against him is supposedly impossible as he and Zaldy Co are allegedly not in good terms for a long time already.
The Senate leadership issue caught national attention. The two blocs in the chamber were widely divided over the leadership and committee assignments. After the majority bloc skipped two (2) consecutive plenary sessions, a shift in leadership unfolded last June 3.
The absence of the then-majority bloc, led by then-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, during the June 1 and 2 sessions halted the Senate sessions. This prompted the then-minority senators to call for Cayetano’s resignation.
On the third day, Sen. Chiz Escudero, who was part of the Cayetano bloc then, unexpectedly attended the session and joined the new majority. His presence created a quorum of 12, allowing the Senate to resume the session.
Escudero explained that his attendance was in defense of the Senate. He stressed that the situation in the chamber should not be allowed to continue.
The 12 senators voted to vacate all the positions in the Senate. They also elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and revised the committee chairmanships.
- Finance: Sen. JV Ejercito
- National Defense and Security: Sen. Tito Sotto
- Public Order and Dangerous Drugs: Sen. Ping Lacson
- Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee): Sen. Erwin Tulfo
- Public Services: Sen. Raffy Tulfo
- Basic Education: Sen. Bam Aquino
- Agriculture: Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
- Health and Demography: Sen. Risa Hontiveros
- Games and Amusement: Sen. Lito Lapid
- Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlements: Sen. Chiz Escudero
- Foreign Relations: Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
After the June 3 session, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano insisted that he supposed remains the rightful Senate president. According to him, Sen. Win Gatchalian’s election was unlawful.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano expressed understanding on Sen. Chiz Escudero – even called him a “brother”. According to him, he understood the senators’ circumstances. Meanwhile, the new minority bloc pressed ahead with their flood control probe. They presented 18 former marines allegedly linked to Zaldy Co.
In a recent press briefing, former Congressman Mike Defensor introduced four (4) more alleged bagmen of Zaldy Co. Two (2) of the alleged bagmen of Zaldy Co implicated Sen. Chiz Escudero in the flood control controversy.
“Kami Sir ‘yung advance team Sir sa pag-deliver sa bahay ni Chiz Escudero. ‘Yung address po Sir talagang hindi ko po matukoy Sir kasi advance team kami nun Sir bale ‘yung nakakaalam Sir ‘yung drayber namin Sir,” one of the alleged bagman of Co said.
According to him, they were even offered food and ate with Escudero’s household staff. He mentioned that they allegedly had shrimp.
“Sa loob ng bahay niya Sir, kumain pa kami diyan Sir ang ulam namin hipon kasama ko ‘yung mga katulong niya Sir,” he added.
Another alleged bagman said he joined Zaldy Co’s convoy to the house of Sen. Chiz Escudero. He cited an address he claimed belonged to the senator. Recently, based on News, the Senator denied the allegation and even claimed that he and Co are not in good terms for a long time now
“Hindi na ako nagulat pero tahasan kong sasabihin na hindi totoo ‘yan dahil magkagalit kami ni Congressman Co sa mahabang panahon. Imposibleng mangyari ‘yan,” Escudero said based on the report.
Meanwhile, amid the flood control accusations against him, Sen. Chiz Escudero clarified that he has no plans of filing charges against his accusers. He also doubted the timing of the accusations with his decision to appear at the June 3 Senate plenary session.
Following the Senate leadership feud, Sen. Chiz Escudero spoke on the special session that Pres. Bongbong Marcos called for amid the leadership issue.