Groups want Poe-Francis tandem, bares Grace

MANILA - Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday revealed that there are groups pushing for a Poe-Francis tandem in 2016.

In an interview after the 13th anniversary celebration of the the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Poe reiterated that she is more comfortable running with Senator Francis Escudero in case she eventually decides to run for president in next year's elections.

Poe also noted that running as an independent candidate with a coalition has its benefits, saying it will always be the interest of the Filipino people and not of the party that will be prioritized.

In the 2013 senatorial elections, both Poe and Escudero ran as independent candidates but under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP)-led coalition Team PNoy.

Following the recent attacks and questions on her citizenship and residency, Poe reiterated that she is qualified to run in 2016.

She pointed out that she came back to the Philippines in 2003 to campaign for her father, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for president.

She renounced her dual citizenship in 2010.

Meanwhile, ABS-News spotted in Metro Manila several Grace Poe stickers for 2016. Many of her supporters say that Poe is honest and has genuine concern for the poor.

In her address to PDEA personnel during their anniversary celebration, the senator said out of the five requests of the leadership of the agency, one has been granted, which is to amend the three-witness rule in the Dangerous Drugs Act.

With the amended law, only two witnesses are needed for PDEA agents to operate against drug pushers.

Poe said she is still working on the hazard pay and additional reward money for informants.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, meanwhile, admitted that based on their survey, 92 percent of barangays in Metro Manila are affected by illegal drugs.

Cacdac said the fight against drugs should be a multi-sectoral approach which starts with the family.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Heart admits taking birth control pills

MANILA – Actress Heart Evangelista admitted that she is taking birth control pills since she does not want to get pregnant yet.

In an interview with entertainment site Pep last week, Evangelista explained that still has to finish all her obligations before she can have a baby.

“If I stop, I'll get pregnant. My doctor advised me not to stop yet, and then, after months, I'll stop, and I'll do… 'yun. I’ll finish first 'yung [obligations], then I'll get pregnant. Ang hirap din kasi 'yung nagsu-shoot ako for a commercial, tapos buntis ako,” she said.

But the actress stressed that she wants to build her own family with husband, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“If it's a boy, I might name him Francis, like Chiz. If girl, I might name her Sofia. Exciting talaga. 'Yung kids naman niya (Chiz), they're asking kung kailan. Kung prepared na ako? More or less,” she said.

Meanwhile, the actress shared that she enjoys spending time with Escudero’s kids with former wife Christine Flores.

“The boy is very easy, nasa stage siya na nagba-basketball siya. So hindi na siya maka-relate sa scrapbook mode namin ni daughter. He's on his own na. The girl, she needs more attention, I think,” she said.

“As of now, we're living separately, but in the same village, so nilalakad lang. Hindi pa naman siya drastic, pero slowly din, which is okay. Like today, it's summer, nasa bahay sila lagi,” she added.

Escudero and Evanglista tied the knot last February 15 at the Balesin Island Club.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Heart cried during her wedding day

MANILA – Heart Evangelista became emotional on her wedding day when a letter from her father, Mr. Reynaldo Ongpauco, was read to her during the reception.

Evangelista tied the knot with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero at the Balesin Island Club on Sunday.

It is no secret that the couple’s ties estranged Evangelista from her parents for a time. While they have patched things up, Evangelista's parents have decided not to attend the wedding.

In an excerpt from the letter that was published on entertainment site Pep, the actress’ father admitted he really wanted to walk Evangelista down the aisle but "a lot of things has happened that hindered us from going" to the wedding.

"Alam mo anak gustung-gusto kita ihatid sa altar. Sino ba naman ang ama ang ayaw makita ang anak sa pinakaimportanteng araw ng buhay niya?” he wrote.




Nonetheless, Ongpauco asked Escudero to take care of his daughter.

"This is my promise: when the day comes that I see both of you truly happy; when I see Chiz loving you the way you deserve to be loved, I will come knocking on your door," he wrote.

Earlier on Sunday, ABS-CBN News’ Karen Davila said there were seats reserved for Evangelista’s parents at the reception which no one was allowed to sit on.

Although Evangelista’s parents chose not to go to the wedding, her sisters and other relatives attended the special occasion.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz has yet to mend ties with Heart's parents?

MANILA – While Heart Evangelista has already reconciled with her parents, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted he has yet to iron things out with the mother and father of his fiancée.

In an interview with “The Buzz” which aired on Sunday, Escudero said what’s important is Evangelista is now on good terms with her parents.

“Papunta sa tamang direksyon [ang relasyon ko sa mga magulang ni Heart]. Hayaan natin na panahon ang makapagsabi pero at least sa parte ni Heart at ng magulang niya, maganda na ang relasyon nila,” he said.

Escudero said he does not want to rush things but he believes that everything will fall into the right place in time.

Meanwhile, Evangelista said Escudero hasn’t made the traditional “pamamanhikan” yet.

“No, we are not there yet. But, of course, we hope for the best,’ she said.

Just recently, the couple was rocked with controversy when it was reported that that they allegedly caused the “bumping off” of Cesca Litton and Tyke Kalaw’s wedding on Valentine’s Day at the Balesin Island Club in Quezon.

Escudero and Evangelista have already clarified that they have nothing to do with the supposed "bumping off" of a planned wedding in Balesin.

Rather than dwelling on intrigues, Evangelista said she has a lot of other more important things in mind in preparation for her wedding.

“There’s so many other things that I think about, like my parents going to my wedding,” she said.

Escudero and Evangelista will tie the knot at the Balesin Island Club on February 15 next year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Heart mulls marrying without parents

MANILA -- Heart Evangelista said she has considered marrying without the permission of her parents, whose disapproval of the actress' romantic relationships has made headlines time and again.

The 28-year-old former Kapamilya star, who is currently in a relationship with 43-year-old Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, admitted that she has envisioned her wedding without the presence of her father Rey Ongpauco and mother Cecile.

"I always ano, e, I always thought of that," Evangelista, whose real name is Love Marie Ongpauco, was quoted as saying by entertainment news site Phlippine Entertainment Portal.

"I never really thought of… siguro moment lang 'yun na naisip ko that I will have my parents at my wedding. I always thought that they will never be there because they will not be able to accept… no one talaga will be good enough for them," she said.

She added: "So I always… that wasn’t a problem for me. That’s why I always say I wanted a small wedding."

Escudero, who is now engaged in his re-election campaign for the May 13 polls, earlier expressed his intentions of marrying Evangelista within five years.

In March, Evangelista's parents held a press conference and publicly asked Escudero to leave their daughter. The couple also accused the lawmaker of being arrogant, disrespectful, and an alcoholic.

In another press conference, Cecile blamed Escudero for the worsening health condition of Rey, who she said is distressed over the defiance of their daughter.

Cecile also accused the senator of "manipulating" her daughter, who has repeatedly expressed that she intends to "fight for" her relationship with Escudero.

This isn't the first time Evangelista's parents disapproved of the actress' relationship.

The former "Hiram" star said the reason for her separation from actor Jericho Rosales, her former boyfriend who she once referred to as her "one true love," was the objection of her parents to the relationship.

The two broke up in 2008.

The Ongpaucos also reportedly disapproved of Evangelista's relationship with Japanese-Brazilian model Daniel Matsunaga, with whom she broke up last year.

Asked if she regrets not fighting for her past relationships, the actress said, "No… I think it comes with age, e. It really comes with age. You cannot compare before."

"The situation is the same but the person is different, the character, so it’s not the same," she said.

Unlike before, however, Evangelista said she is now willing to stand by the man she loves. The actress has even chosen to live apart from her parents, to the point of estrangement, according to Cecile -- a move that was lamented by the Ongpauco couple in an earlier interview.

Evangelista confidently said that Escudero, likewise, is ready to stand by their relationship despite intrigues. "Yeah, oo naman, in fairness naman sa kanya," she said.

According to the actress, her boyfriend expressed confidence that she will eventually reconcile with her parents.

"He just said that, ‘You know this too shall pass.’ And ‘Magulang mo ‘yan, kahit ano pa ang mangyari, ‘ganyan, ‘One day mami-miss ka din nila.' My dad especially will miss me one day," she said.

"And, you know, parang sinabi lang niya sa akin na, ‘No matter what you do, you always think many times before you decide on something because even from afar, you would want them to be proud of you.’

"So that’s what I plan to do," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz hurt by accusations of Heart's parents

MANILA – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted he was hurt by the accusations thrown against him by the parents of his girlfriend Heart Evangelista.

In a press conference held in Naga on Thursday, Escudero professed his love for Evangelista, describing the ordeal they are currently going through as “matindi at masakit.”

“Bago ito, masaya at maayos kami ni Heart, pero sa nangyaring ito, malaki ang epekto sa kanya. Mahal ko si Heart pero matindi itong pinagdadaanan namin, masakit,” he said.

As a parent, Escudero said he is trying hard to understand where Evangelista’s parents are coming from.

“Pilit ko iniintindi ang parents ni Heart, parent din ako pero hindi ako naninira sa ngalan ng anak ko. Kahit gaano karami pera nila, hindi lisensya para yurakan ang pagkatao ko,” he said.

“Nadadamay ang mga anak ko pati nanay ko, lumalabas na parang hindi ako pinalaki ng maayos,” he added.

Escudero, who is seeking a re-election in the May polls, said he is hoping that people would just stop meddling in the issue.

He did not take any questions from the media.

Evangelista's parents, Cecile and Rey Ongpauco, held a press conference on Tuesday to formally appeal to both their daughter and Escudero to reconsider their relationship.

The Ongpauco couple cited several reasons for their objection to the relationship, including Escudero's alleged "fondness" for alcohol, his being 16 years older than Evangelista, and the possibility that the senator and their youngest daughter may not marry as Catholics.

Both Rey and Cecile Ongpauco emphasized their disdain for Escudero's being an alleged "alcoholic," saying it is among the reasons behind the growing tension within their family.

Evangelista, meanwhile, reiterated her feelings for the lawmaker. She also apologized to her boyfriend and to members of his family who may have been affected by the Ongpauco couple's allegations.

"Mahal ko si Chiz. Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa kanya at sa pamilya niya dahil nadadamay sila dito," she said.

Evangelista also said she hopes that her parents will respect her decision to be in a relationship with Escudero, who has expressed confidence that he and the actress will overcome the controversy.

"Mahal ko ang mga magulang ko pero nasa tamang edad na ako at sana pagkatiwalaan at galangin nila ang mga desisyon ko," Evangelista said. – with a report from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz defends relationship with Heart

MANILA – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero believes he and girlfriend Heart Evanglista will be able to overcome the controversies that currently surround their relationship.

In a statement, Escudero said his relationship with the 28-year-old actress remains strong amid the disapproval of the Evangelista’s parents.

“Maayos at matatag ang samahan at ugnayan namin ni Heart at tinuturing ko lamang ito bilang isang hamon at pagsubok sa relasyon namin kung saan, buo ang pag-asa ko na, ito ay malalampasan namin,” he said.

Escudero reiterated that he does not want to meddle into family matters.

“Hindi po ako showbiz. Hinihiwalay ko po at ‘di ko pinaghahalo ang trabaho ko sa personal kong buhay at lalong hindi ko po pinapayagan na manghimasok ang personal kong buhay sa aking trabaho,” he said.

“Sapat na siguro na sabihin ko muna ngayon na, bagaman ako ay medyo nadadamay, hangga't maaari, ayaw kong manghimasok sa hindi pagkaka-unawaan sa pagitan ng isang anak at kanyang mga magulang,” he said.

Escudero also appealed to the public not to interfere in matters involving Evangelista and her family.

“Sana din ay ‘di ito panghimasukan ng iba upang sa gayon ay manatili ang puwang na magka-unawaan sila,” he said.

On Tuesday, the parents of Evangelista expressed strong objection to her relationship with Escudero, saying they had felt "disrespected" by the lawmaker whom they accused of being "arrogant" and an "alcoholic."

Evangelista’s mom appealed to senator to "cool off" with the actress to give her time to reconsider their relationship, saying they merely want the best for their daughter.

Evangelista, meanwhile, on Monday took to micro-blogging site Twitter to openly express her love for Esudero. She has also appealed to her parents to let her be with the senator, saying she has found happiness.

“It happened to me a long time with Jericho and at that time, I was very young kaya nagparaya ako and I thought it would make my parents happy. I understand that you know, they want the best for me and they are very protective,” she said in an interview with "24 Oras" aired Tuesday.

“Nahihiya lang ako of course kay Chiz and sa family niya kasi wala naman silang ipinakitang masama sa akin. Napakabait nila tapos nagkaroon pa ng mga kasinungalingan, ng mga paninira,” Evangelista said.

“Nahanap ko na ‘yung taong para sa akin, huwag na nila ilayo ang taong mahal ko. Masaya na ako and everybody deserves to be happy,” she said.

However, in a statement she sent The Philippine Star on Wednesday, the actress said she still believes in her family “and the love and respect I have for my parents remain undiminished.”

“We will find a way to fix whatever needs to be fixed, and we shall come out of this stronger and wiser,” she said.

“Everyone deserves to be happy, and I am now at the point in my life where I am very happy. It is my wish and prayer that at this point of my life, my loved ones would be happy for me as well,” she added.

“And for those who may have other plans and who may be plotting to use this incident as an issue in the political campaign, please don’t. It is already a painful episode for me and my loved one as it is, don’t take advantage of the situation for political gain. Thank you,” Evangelista said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz wants privacy in relationship with Heart

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero wants to keep his relationship with girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista, as private as possible.

"Hindi namin itinatago, hindi din naman namin ipinagyayabang. Kung ano lang, 'yun lang, walang tensyon," Escudero said on "KrisTV" on Thursday.

Escudero finally admitted his relationship with Evangelista last October also on "KrisTV."

Evangelista and Escudero have been spotted together several times after the actress ended her relationship with Japanese-Brazilian model Daniel Matsunaga.

Matsunaga is now being linked to Aquino, who already denied any blossoming romance between them.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz won't stop Heart from having kissing scenes

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he will never stop his girlfriend Heart Evangelista from having kissing scenes in her future showbiz projects.


Speaking to entertainment website Pep.ph during the premiere night of Evangelista’s new movie “Sosy Problems,” Escudero said he is in no position to tell his girlfriend on what she can or cannot do in her work.

"Labas ako diyan. Trabaho 'yon. Okay lang 'yon," he said.

The senator said Evangelista definitely has the qualities of what he is looking for in a long-term partner.

"Anybody in a relationship would want to have that. Sobrang lambing niya," he said.

Asked about their wide age gap, which concerns some people, Escudero said: "I don't notice it. I hope she doesn't either. We don't talk about it. We understand each other and we share a lot of things together."

Meanwhile, with just Christmas around the corner, Escudero shared how he and Evangelista are planning to spend the holidays.

"We'll be spending it with the family. We're going to see each other later during the week,” he said.

It was last October 5, during his last co-hosting stint for ABS-CBN's morning talk show "Kris TV," when Escudero finally admitted that he is in a relationship with Evangelista.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz admits ‘oversight’ in Anti-Cybercrime Law insert

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted personal oversight when the clause on libel was inserted in the recently-passed Cyber Crime Prevention Act.

At the Kapihan sa Senado, Escudero said: “Hindi ko nakita iyon noong kami ay bumoto at pumirma sa Committee Report pero maliwanag ang posisyon ko kaugnay sa bagay na iyan.”

Escudero is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The final version, Republic Act 10175, contained a provision broadening the coverage of libel. Section 4 (paragraph 4) provides that libel will cover the use of "computer system or other similar means that may be devised in the future."

He said he does not know how and who inserted the provision. On allegations it was Senator Vicente Sotto III, Escudero said: “Hindi ko rin alam at wala rin akong personal konwledge kung siya nga ang naglagay niyon. Again, kaya hindi ko nga alam ay nakalusot nga sa amin. Kung nalalaman ko, hindi sana nakalusot iyon siningit man sa anumang stage ng bill dahil sa posisyon ko kaugnay sa libel law.”

There was no negligence on the part of his colleagues because some of them also wanted to include the provision, he added.

He said the provision is not consistent with his position as a principal author of an earlier bill that decriminalizes libel.

“Sa ngalan ng pagiging consistent, kung nandyan nga iyan ay kasalukuyan nga naming pinag-aaralan ang paghain, maski na ganito kaaga, ng amendatory law para alisin at i-repeal ang provision na iyon…,” he said.

He said the amendatory bill will be filed before they resume sessions in Congress. “Itong pag-amyenda ng Cyber Crime Law within the recess. Before we resume, we will file that bill,” he said.

Several petitions seeking to quash the provision have already been filed before the Supreme Court. At least two more will be filed on Friday.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chiz, Heart 'meet' again in Greenbelt

MANILA, Philippines -- After confirming that he had "meetings" with actress Heart Evangelista, senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero was cornered again by Kris Aquino on a recent report that he was spotted again with Evangelista in Greenbelt, Makati.

Escudero first explained that he was in Greenbelt to buy new clothes as he is co-hosting Aquino's morning show "KrisTV."

He then admitted that he also had a "meeting" with Evangelista.

"Meeting pa din... mahahaba talaga ang meetings ko, mga ilang araw, ilang buwan, ilang linggo bago matapos ang meeting," Escudero said.

Last week, Esudero said he and Evangelista have gone out twice but refused to call it a date but a "meeting."

"I wish (we are dating) pero 'no.' (But) yes, we saw each other twice," he told Kris Aquino on the morning show "KrisTV" on Monday July 2).

"Kapag 27 years old ka siguro 'yun ang tawag doon going out on a date. Pero kung 42 years old ka ang tawag doon ay meeting, nag-meeting lang kayo, " Escudero explained.

Escudero said he is not seeing anyone after his marriage with estranged wife, Christine Elizabeth "Tin Tin" Flores, was annulled.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Senator Chiz confirms annulment of marriage

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday confirmed the annulment of his marriage in Kris Aquino's morning show.

For the first time since his separation from Christine Flores, with whom he has twins, Escudero answered yes to the question posed by the sister of President Benigno Aquino III.

He also admitted to seeing another celebrity, Heart Evangelista, twice but only in a "meeting."

source: interaksyon.com