Chiz slams smear campaign

By: Christopher Emmanuel Tigno

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero reacted on a smear campaign launched against him that coincided with his reelection bid in the Senate next year last October 3.

“It has become evident that there are some people who wish to destroy my name and character. A smear campaign appears to be underway to malign me,” Escudero said. “Even before I filed my certificate of candidacy, I have already received reports of such mudslinging.”

The senator said that he had been informed by the members of the media that text messages have been circulating containing allegations that he intends to pass a bill that would reduce the salaries of government workers.

“There is no such bill. It is really disappointing how those behind this smear campaigns can conduct such black propaganda, disappointing because it insults me but, more importantly, insults the Filipino people. Maliwanag na napakaliit ng tingin at kawalang ng paggalang sa mga botante natin ang ganyang kababawan,” the senator said.

The senator had earlier filed and pushed for Senate Bill 2106, titled “An Act to Grant Monthly Pension to Government Retirees under RA 161 Who Have Reached the Age of Seventy Years”, which provide benefaction to government pensioners.

“The mudslinging and misinformation are part of election fever, I suppose, which makes it all the more disappointing. This is one of the things we hope to change, this kind of politics. There is no room for it in a 

reformed political environment,” he added.

The senator filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday at the Commission on Elections office as an independent candidate but was adopted as guest candidate by both the Liberal Party and United Nationalist Alliance coalitions.

Escudero topped and placed second in the most recent surveys on senatorial candidates conducted by the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia respectively.

“I have served as congressman and senator since 1998. I should be used to this campaigning by now but I am not. It’s just further proof that the task of change and reform is still a work in progress and that we should not let down our guard against traditional politics and corruption,” Escudero said.