Escudero unfazed by black propaganda spread via text messages

Sen. Francis Escudero: Unfazed. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—As if Sen. Francis Escudero’s troubles of the heart were not enough, his political enemies are working double time sending derogatory text blasts in the wee hours on an almost daily basis.

Regular mass text messages accusing Escudero of filing unpopular bills such as one reducing the benefits of airport employees were received even by journalists not covering the Senate beat.

The reelectionist senator appeared unfazed by the text campaign, refusing to name names of the possible culprits at Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado and saying he would rather trust voters to be able to discern truth from black propaganda.

The senator’s dramatic slide from No. 2 to No. 5 among preferred senatorial candidates in the recently released Social Weather Station survey has fueled speculations among observers, largely pinning the blame on his very public romance with actress Heart Evangelista and her parents’ objection to their relationship.—Cathy C. Yamsuan