The Filipino Profiles

Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero  is a current member of the Philippine Senate, having been elected in 2007.

Escudero had previously served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the First District of Sorsogon, and as the Minority Floor Leader of the 13th Congress of the Philippines on his third and last House term.

He is also the Secretary General of the United Opposition, and a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Escudero was born on October 10, 1969 in Manila , Philippines , the middle child of the three children of former Agriculture Secretary Salvador "Sonny" H. Escudero III and educator Evelina B. Guevara. His father was elected in 2007 to the House seat vacated by his son.

Escudero is married to the former Christine Elizabeth R. Flores who is a singer and stage actress. They have two children, fraternal twins, born September 7, 2007.

Escudero attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1988 and Bachelors of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. He received his Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D. C. in 1996.

At the University of the Philippines , Escudero was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines from 1992–1993. He also joined the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta Debating Team which was the 1991 U.P. Open Debate Champion. A consistent honor student, he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather or the U.P. Law Honor Society from 1989–1993.

Escudero’s initiation into the political arena and into the art of addressing big crowds began in his teens in the ’80s, when he helped organize the local campaigns of his father. Escudero explained: "In 1984, I was part of the postering brigade in my dad’s campaign for assemblyman. In 1987, I handled the youth; in 1992, I handled the headquarters and arranged logistics. In 1995, I handled last minute operations, and in 1998, I was finally the candidate!"

He first indicated his inclination towards politics at age of 22 when he expressed interest to run for public office as municipal councilor of Sorsogon City . At age 25, he again indicated an intent to run for the office of the mayor of Sorsogon City . But for both occasions, the family’s opinion, especially that of his father’s, that he finish his law studies first before beginning a political career, prevailed. In response to the wishes of his family, he finished his Law studies first before entering politics.

Other Information

• Name : Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero
• Birthday : October 10, 1969
• Birthplace : Manila, Philippines
• Residence : Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Manila
• Nationality : Filipino
• Political party : NPC (1998 to date), Genuine Opposition (2005 to date)
• Schools Attended :
• Elementary education, University of the Philippines Integrated School (1981)
• Secondary Education, University of the Philippines Integrated School (1985)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City (1988)
• Bachelors of Laws, University of the Philippines College of Law (1993)
• Masters in International and Comparative Law, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D. C. (1996)
• Father : Salvador "Sonny" H. Escudero III
• Mother : Evelina B. Guevara
• Spouse(s) : Christine Elizabeth R. Flores
• Children :
• Ma. Cecilia Escudero
• Joaquin Escudero
• Profession : Lawyer, Politician
• Religion : Roman Catholic

Positions Held

Private Citizen

• Teaching assistant, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines (1988–1989)
• Junior Political Analyst, Batangas Development Planning office (1989)
• Junior Associate, Bautista, Picazo, Buyco, Tan and Fider Law Office (1993–1994)
• Legal Consultant, UNLAD Ship Management and Manning Corp. (1994 to 1995)
• Legal Counsel for the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) (1994 to 1995)
• Partner of the Escudero, Marasigan, Sta. Ana, Vallente and Villareal Law Office (EMSAVIL Law) (1995 –present)
• Senior Lecturer, College of Law at the University of the Philippines (1996 to 1998)
• Lecturer, Graduate School of the Ateneo de Manila University (2000)
• Host, Ngayon na Pinoy, RPN 9, (May to August 2000)
• Anchor, "Magandang Umaga, Bayan," , Angel Radio, DZAR 1026 AM
• Anchor, Usapang de Campanilla and Usapang Legal, DZMM
• Columnist, "Usapang Legal ni Chiz Escudero" (later renamed "Say Chiz"), Abante and Abante Tonite

Government

• Senator of the Philippines, Incumbent, (June 30, 2007)
• House of Representatives, Minority Floor Leader, (July 26, 2004 – June 8, 2007)
• Representative, 1st District Sorsogon, (June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007)
• Commander of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command (July 3, 2000)

Notable Events

• Role and stand on Philippine political issue (2005)

Links

• Official Website