MANILA, Philippines - He compared his love story with actress-girlfriend Heart Evangelista to Shakespeare's love tragedy "Romeo and Juliet," but expressed hope their troubles would be resolved.
On Wednesday, April 10, Sen Chiz Escudero entertained media questions on his relationship after weeks of staying mum about the topic.
"Akala ko yung mga kwento na bawal na pag-ibig, bawal umibig na mas mayaman, at Romeo and Juliet sa libro at sine lamang. Sana sa inyo na lang nangyari, hindi na lang sa akin," he told reporters.
(I thought stories of forbidden love, preventing you from loving wealthier women, like Romeo and Juliet, are in books and movies only. I wish this happened to you, instead of me).
But Escudero said he and Evangelista are doing "okay."
"Okay naman but we can't deny that this is the hardest challenge we've ever faced as a couple. I hope we surpass this. Once we do, I don't think there will be any obstacle that we cannot overcome," he said.
He emphasized it is still Evangelista who is caught in the worst position given the problem, saying she is trapped in the middle and feeling depressed. Escudero said he hopes her parents are warming up to him slowly.
On Tuesday, March 19, the parents of Evangelista -- Cecile and Rey Ongpauco -- faced the media to publicly disclose their disapproval of the senator.
The Ongpaucos accused Escudero of being an "alcoholic," calling him "arrogant" and accusing him of manipulating their daughter to go against them. Evangelista's parents have asked Escudero -- through the media -- to leave their daughter alone and have threatened to sue him for libel.
Escudero has since denied the accusations, backed and defended by Evangelista.
No care for numbers
Escudero denied they have plans to get married, but admitted it may be something he sees in their future.
"If there is a plan for us to get married, she would be the first one to know, not you," he said, adding "Everyone who is in a relationship hopes it will be for the long run."
When asked whether he is concerned his relationship woes will affect his standings on surveys, Escudero said a slip in numbers would be out of his control.
"I try to always separate my personal life from work. And if it ever affects my work, that is not my initiative or choice. I always say surveys are a snapshot of our countrymen's views. It will go up, it will go down; we've never said surveys aren't true. Do not compare me to other politicians who if their numbers or their coalition's numbers are low they say the survey is not true or paid for," he said.
But Escudero also said whether he is on top or ranked lower does not affect him, as long as he is able to win a senate seat.
For me, 1,2,3, and 4 are just for showing off. What's important to me is to make it to the top 12. Because 1 or 12, salary is the same, the term is 6 years -- 1 or 12, you are still a senator," he said.
Escudero's numbers fell from the 2nd spot to the 3rd to 4th spot in the latest Social Weather Stations survey conducted from March 15 to 17, days before the controversy surrounding him and his girlfriend erupted. He experienced the biggest decline of all bets in the Magic 12.
