Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178082694737420250612-127th-independence-day-barasoain-MT18.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero leads the 127th Independence Day celebration at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan, on Wednesday, June 12, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero leads the 127th Independence Day celebration at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan, on Wednesday, June 12, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Sen. Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero maintained that Malacanang had nothing to do with his surprise appearance at the Senate last Wednesday that led to a &quot;quorum of 12.&quot;He also denied allegations that personal interests -- including flood control allegations and monetary favors -- led him to attend the June 3 session.In a podcast episode with political vloggers Mark Gamboa, Nico David and JC Dela Cruz, the former Senate president said it hurts to see Senate sessions being adjourned due to protests. The new episode aired Sunday, but was taped a day after the pivotal Senate session last June 3.&quot;Wala, para sa akin ang Posisyon ng palasyo, walang kinalaman sa posisyon ng Senado bilang senador,&quot; he said. &quot;Hindi ba masakit sa dibdib na nakikita mo na nag-a-adjourn na lang ang Senado ng tatlong (araw) na nandoon naman ‘yong mga tao na nagboycott man o protesta man.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/senate-plenary-session-majority-minority-1501">Escudero breaks Senate impasse despite Cayetano group’s boycott; Gatchalian elected as Senate president pro tempore </a> </div>Escudero used to be part of the Senate bloc that elected Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as the Senate President.On Wednesday, an appearance from Escudero at the session hall led to a quorum being declared with 12 senators present, eventually leading to Senate positions being declared vacant. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate president pro tempore and called acting Senate president – a move deemed invalid by the likes of Cayetano, and other senators such as Pia Cayetano and Jinggoy Estrada.&quot;Hindi ako nagkulang sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kasamahan ko sa Senado sa magkabilang panig na dapat ganito, huwag gamitin ‘to, hindi tama ‘to, hindi na tama ‘yong ganito. May ibang paraan. Iba ‘yong kaisipan ng iba,&quot; said Escudero.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/malacanang-recognizes-legitimacy-of-new-senate-majority-castro-1728">Malacañang recognizes legitimacy of new Senate majority: Castro</a></div>&quot;So, kailangan kong tayuan kung ano man ang paniniwala ko. Kailangan kong gawin kung anong tingin kong tama at nararapat. Hindi para sa sarili ko. Hindi para sa isang pangkat o grupo. Pero para sa Senado na bilang isang institusyon. Tungkulin na ‘yong pinag-uusapan. Para sa akin, hindi na kulay sa politika pagkampi sa isa o kabilang grupo.&quot;When asked if the cases linking him to plunder, graft and bribery have something to do with his decision, Escudero said he has already vindicated himself before the court. &quot;Asan? Lima ang nagsampa ng kaso laban sa akin. May limang kasong pending noon. Kabilang na ‘yong forthwith. Tatlo sa limang ‘yon ay na-dismiss na. Napatunayan naming wala kaming kasalanan. Hinarap namin isa-isa ‘yon,&quot; said the senator. &quot;Nakabinbin dalawang kaso pa. Hinaharap din namin ‘yon at buo din ang paniniwala naming malalampasan namin ‘yon at mapapatunayang wala kaming kasalanan.&quot;He argued that if such claims are true, the cases against him should have already been dismissed.&quot;Edi sana tigil na. Gano&#x27;n pa rin, wala namang pagbabago. Kung ano ang sitwasyon ko bago kahapon &#x27;yong pa rin ang sitwasyon ko sa ngayon,&quot; Escudero added.The lawmaker expressed confidence that he could prove his innocence in court.&quot;Umaasa kami sa mga nag-iimbestigang mga ahensya man o sa korte mismo kung isasampa nila &#x27;yong kaso. Mapapatunayan namin ang aming posisyon na wala kaming ginawang mali o labag sa batas. So, tuloy-tuloy lamang naman &#x27;yon, hindi naman tumigil. Edi sana tumigil na,&quot; Escudero said as he laughed. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier announced that the plunder and graft complaints against Escudero had passed the fact-finding stage and was under preliminary investigation.<div> </div><div>&#x27;GO TO SC&#x27;</div>Escudero further suggested going to the Supreme Court to ultimately resolve the ongoing power struggle in the Senate leadership. &quot;Pero aminado naman na walang Senate President. Acting Senate President lamang si Senator Win,&quot; Escudero said.  While he believes Cayetano&#x27;s beliefs have legal basis, Escudero proposed for the involved parties to file a petition before the High Court to settle the issue in a peaceful manner.&quot;Ang solusyon nga sana imbes na mag-agawan sila ng trono, may dumulog na lamang sa Korte para pagpasyahan ito. &#x27;Yon para sa akin &#x27;yong mapayapang solusyon sa problemang ito,&quot; he said.Asked what he could suggest as &#x27;one fix solution&#x27; on the ongoing ruckus, Escudero said he hopes for the Senate majority to finally reach its required 13 votes. &quot;Galangin ang boto ng mayorya. Kung ano man &#x27;yon. Sa ngayon ang mayorya ay alanganin. Meaning trese kasi ang maliwanag. So, may desisyon na tinatayuan, etcetera. Pero sa ngayon ang bilang ay 12-10,&quot; he said.&quot;So, kung ako ang tatanungin mo, sana dumating sa hindi malayong hinaharap na may makabuo ng trese, sinuman &#x27;yon. Sinuman &#x27;yon, ulitin ko. Para tapos na, wala ng isyu, reklamo, o problema,&quot; Escudero added.

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero maintained that Malacanang has nothing to do with his surprise appearance at the Senate last Wednesday that led to a "quorum of 12."

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero maintained that Malacanang has nothing to do with his surprise appearance at the Senate last Wednesday that led to a "quorum of 12."

Escudero maintains Palace had no hand in decision to break Senate impasse

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Escudero maintains Palace had no hand in decision to break Senate impasse

Dennis Gasgonia,

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 07, 2026 06:16 PM PHT

Read More:

Francis Escudero

Senate

New majority

Malacanang

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