Escudero renewing friendship with Roxas

Senator Chiz Escudero and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — After their perceived falling out during the 2010 elections, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is hoping to renew his friendship with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

And Roxas’ invitation to Escudero to join the Liberal Party’s (LP) Christmas party last week could be the start.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Escudero disclosed that Roxas invited him through a text message to join the party.

“Inimbitahan ako dun, inimbitahan din pala si Grace,” Escudero said, referring to Senator Grace Poe. (I was invited and so was Grace.) “Ang nag-imbita sa akin si Secretary Roxas.” (Secretary Roxas invited me.)

Escudero said he and Poe attended the party but denied that there were any discussions about the 2016 elections. Both ran under the LP-led coalition during the 2013 polls.

The perceived falling out between Escudero and Roxas began when the senator supported the candidacy of then-Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in the 2010 vice presidential race.

Until now, Escudero has refused to admit any animosity between him and the interior secretary.

“Bakit, hindi ba kami okay? Anong bakit? We’re invited and we graciously accepted. I mean, we’re honored by the invitation,” the senator said of Roxas’ invitation. (Why? Are we not in good terms?)

But asked if the invite was a sign of a renewed friendship between him and Roxas, Escudero said, “Sana, sana. Kasi wala naman kaming pinag-awayan talaga.” (I hope. We never really had any quarrels.”

In fact, he said, he even defended the budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which is headed by Roxas. Escudero is chair of the Senate committee on finance.

Escudero also defended Roxas from criticism for riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet while inspecting areas damaged by Typhoon “Ruby” in Samar.

“Kayo naman, sumemplang na nga babatikusin n’yo pa. At least, ginagawa n’ya yung trabaho n’ya. Andoon s’ya on the ground … kesa naman hindi s’ya nakita…” the senator said. (Be kind. The man already fell and you still criticize him. At least, he was doing his job. He was there on the ground. He could have been absent.)

The lawmaker disclosed that Roxas has been invited to his wedding with actress Heart Evangelista on February 15, 2015.

Roxas was a principal sponsor in Escudero’s marriage to his first wife, Christine.

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