FILE PHOTO: Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero during the committee’s public hearing on cultural communities and Muslim affairs on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — It’s just being a gentleman to simply do nothing, even if a lady—in this case, the wife of the country’s top leader—suddenly sips wine from your glass.
This was how Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero addressed his situation on Wednesday during the Vin d’Honneur (wine of honor) at the Malacañan Palace.
In a video circulated on social media, Escudero is seen holding a glass of wine with other guests when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined them.
The First Lady then approached Escudero and suddenly took a sip from his wine glass. She later returned the rest of the wine to the Senate chief.
Escudero appeared only to laugh off the incident.
READ: First Lady Liza Marcos sips from Escudero’s wine glass at Vin d’Honneur
In a statement on Thursday, Escudero tried to explain the incident when prodded by reporters.
”I consider waiting on a lady (first or otherwise) to be gentlemanly,” he said, apparently referring to some comments during the Palace event.
“Maaaring sabihin ng iba na maka-luma o parang ‘under’ pero para sakin, hindi kailanman magiging maka-luma o di uso, ano man ang itawag ng iba, ang pagiging maginoo at pakikipag-kapwa tao…” Escudero went on.
(Others may call it old-fashioned or ‘under’, but for me, it will never be antiquated or out of style or whatever others may label it, to be courteous and respectful to others.)
“Hindi minamasama ang anumang pagkakataon na maging at magpaka-maginoo sa sinumang ginang o binibini…” he stressed.
(There is nothing wrong with being a gentleman to any lady at every opportunity.)
The Vin d’Honneur, an annual Palace event during Independence Day celebrations, was attended by foreign dignitaries and national leaders, including House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez.