Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. (File photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he would miss being in the Congress, where he served nine years in the House of Representatives and 12 years in the Senate.
Escudero said he was consoled, however, that he could finally return to his hometown to serve his constituents.
“Ako po ay nalulungkot dahil matapos kong maka-daupang palad ang karamihan sa inyo ng halos araw-araw ay hindi ko na po tiyak kung kailan ko muling magagawa iyon matapos ang araw na ito. At sa totoo lang, kahit papaano, dahil mami-miss ko din po kayong lahat,” Escudero said in his valedictory speech on Tuesday.
[I’m said because after working hand in hand with many of you almost every day, I don’t know when I can do that again after this day. And to be honest, somehow I will miss you all.]
“Subalit sa kabila ng kalungkutang ito, ako po ay may nadaramang kasiyahan. Mayroon pong ngiti sa aking mga labi dahil makalipas ang araw na ito, mas may panahon na po ako na makapiling ang aking mga kababayan na kailan man ay hindi naging mapang-husga. Bagkus ay palaging nagtiwala at naniwala sa kabila ng lahat ng unos at pagsubok na aking pinagdaanan,” he added.
[But despite my sadness, I also feel some joy. I have a smile on my lips because, after this day, I will have the time to be with my constituents who have never been judgmental of me. On the contrary, they have trusted and believed in me through all the storms and trials I have been through.]
Escudero will serve as governor of Sorsogon after his term at the Senate expires on June 30.
He teased his fellow senators that he would “come back” — but not necessarily to Congress.
He said cannot yet tell if he would return to Congress in the near future.
“I shall return. Ako ay babalik,” he said.
But he added: “Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang nasa aking kapalaran. At mas lalo ko pong di tanto ang mangyayari sa hinaharap. Kkung kaya’t di ko masasabi ng may katiyakan na sa pagsambit ko ng mga katagang “ako ay babalik” na ito ay tumutukoy sa muli kong pagbabalik sa bulwagang ito.”
[I don’t know what my destiny will be. And much less can I foresee what will happen in the future. So I cannot say with certainty, in my saying I shall return, if it means I will return to this chamber.]
(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)