For love of Heart Evangelista, Escudero rushes Church annulment

Senator Francis Escudero with girlfriend Heart Evangelista in an out-of-town vacation. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero   disclosed on Wednesday that he and his ex-wife are working for the annulment of their marriage by the Church.

His failure to seek Church annulment was one of the issues raised  by the parents of his girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista, when  they  publicly  expressed their disapproval of the senator.

“Opo (Yes).  (But) 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,” Escudero said when  asked  in a television  interview  if  they  were in the  process of  Church annulment.

Escudero has been annulled in civil court with estranged wife, Christine, whom he had twins. The two separated in 2010  and voided the marriage in 2012.

In the same interview, the senator also lengthily answered questions about his ex-wife and the reasons behind their separation.

He said he and Christine were on speaking terms and that he did not harbor any ill-feeling towards her.

“The mother of my kids and she’s happy where she is now, I guess. I’m happy for her too,” said the senator when a picture of him and  his ex-wife was flashed on  TV.

Asked if he was mad at Christine,  Escudero answered no, adding: “Hindi ako pala-galit at pala-tanim ng galit sa tao. Sa totoo lang, mahirap matulog sa gabi, kumain, maging masaya at ngumiti kung may tinatanim ka. Wala.”

(I’m not a hot-headed person and I don’t harbor enmity. The truth is it’s difficult to sleep, eat, face the day if you’re consumed with anger. None.)

Escudero did not give a categorical answer when asked if his  ex-wife had cheated on him, which was said to be the reason that prompted  their separation.

“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,” he said.

Talking  about his current affair with  Evangelista, Escudero declined to answer when asked if he had reached out to  his girlfriend’s parents, Cecile and Rey Ongpauco, after the two called a press conference and to denounce him as an alcoholic and ill-mannered.

“That’s a difficult question because to begin with, we did not do anything wrong. Wala kaming pinakitang masama at wala kaming ginawang masama (We have not shown and done anything wrong),” he said.

He also clarified  that he and Evangelista  do not live  together.