Santiago to Escudero: Court Heart’s parents first

Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has advised Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to court the parents of her girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista, and not wait for a “terminal bomb” that might explode when the family finds evidence against him.

“Amuin na lang n’ya yung mga magulang para wala ng problema. Kandidato sya e, nakikipag away s’ya (He could have wooed the parents first so there’d be no problem. He’s a candidate but he’s quarrelling),” Santiago said of Escudero who is seeking re-election in May.

“Why can’t he do that? That is our culture, may kasabihan tayo ligawan ang mga magulang muna (we have a saying you should court the parents first),” she said.

Santiago, who is close to Evangelista’s family, believes that the controversy between her parents and Escudero would affect both the “political fortune” of the senator and “market appeal” of the actress.

“It will impact not only the political fortune of Chiz but even the market appeal of Heart so it has many, many consequences for the two parties involved,” she said.

For Escudero , Santiago said a “terminal  bomb” might explode during the campaign if Heart’s parents pursue their plan of filing appropriate cases against him.

“The Ongpaucos have said they are gathering evidence of these secrets or unknown parts of his personality and the moment they get their hands on the proper evidence, possibly they mean testimonies of witnesses, then they will hold another press conference and reveal him for what they think he is,” she said.

“So that’s going to be a terminal bomb that will explode during the campaign season if they get to that point,” she pointed out.

Santiago believes the parents have basis to pursue a civil case against Escudero supposedly because they suffered for “alienating the affections” of their daughter.

The Civil Code, she said, provides that damages are incurred by a person who interferes in the privacy and meddles in the life of another person.

“So he will be asked to pay money to them because of their moral damages, actual damages, their hospital bills etcetera. That would be the civil case,” she explained.