Press Release

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has expressed concern for the country’s coconut and sugar farmers as the government studies possible amendments to Republic Act 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006, including proposals to allow limited biofuel importation to address rising global oil prices. In a statement, Escudero said any policy shift should carefully consider its impact on rural livelihoods that rely on the domestic biofuel industry. He noted that the Department of Energy (DOE), in a recent Senate hearing, said it was considering a one‑year allowance for biofuel imports to mitigate oil price surges. The senator said such a move could significantly affect local producers and farmers, and urged the DOE to reassess the proposal. Instead of importation, he urged the depar...

The rock band 'Tamad si Juan' from Davao City*Out of the garage and onto the throne - Tamad si Juan from Davao City has officially been crowned the 2025 Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban Grand Champion.The high-octane finale, held on Saturday, March 14, transformed the Filinvest City Events Grounds in  Alabang Muntinlupa,  into a mecca for Pinoy Rock.The Davao-based quintet outperformed the country’s toughest rising talent to secure the prestigious title and a life-changing P1 million cash prize.The journey to the top wasn't easy. After a year of grueling preliminaryThe band—composed of Reg Twostone (vocals), Kram Noiz (lead guitar), Shed Jabinez (guitar), Jepax Jaso (bass), and Vistal—expressed deep gratitude for the platform, noting that the long journey from the ...

The Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement chaired by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has tackled all 35 bills and resolutions on its agenda, reinforcing his “no backlog” policy in the committees he leads.  Among those approved for committee report was Senate Bill No. 934, authored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, which strengthens the government’s authority to expropriate land for socialized housing. “The measure amends Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992 to empower local government units and housing agencies to identify priority areas, streamline land acquisition, and allow expropriation of idle lands, including residential lands under litigation,” Escudero said, noting that the bill supports the administr...

 Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental has adopted a four-day onsite workweek and stricter energy conservation measures after Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo issued Executive Order No. 264, Series of 2026.Under the new policy, which takes effect March 16, municipal government offices will operate Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m.  to 6:30 p.m. completing the required 40-hour workweek within four days, a press release from Moises Padilla said Thursday, March 12.Fridays will serve as an Energy Conservation Day, during which offices will be closed to the public.Despite the revised schedule, the local government assured that public service will remain uninterrupted through its “No Noon Break” policy, with a skeletal workforce assigned to continue operations from 12 p.m.to ...

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero over the weekend urged private companies to consider adopting Malacañang‑backed four‑day onsite workweek or implement staggered work‑hour schemes as the country aims to cushion the impact of fuel price hikes and broader economic disruptions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.In a statement, Escudero said such flexible arrangements could help reduce daily transportation demand, lower operating costs, provide workers with added relief as global oil markets remain volatile, as well reduce billions of pesos in lost opportunities every day because of traffic congestion.“Acting this early as we anticipate what could possibly happen would strengthen the country’s resilience should the situation worsen,” the senator said.The veteran legislator ...

I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mary Ann de Vera, our kababayan who lost her life amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. No Filipino should have to pay the ultimate price simply because she sought honest work to provide for her loved ones.In the short term, our government must act with urgency to ensure the safety of every Filipino in the affected regions. This must be our foremost priority. I echo calls for the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure that contingency and evacuation plans are fully operational, and for the said agencies to provide direct, proactive communication with our OFWs in vulnerable areas.Beyond the immediate crisis, however, lies a deeper, chronic, long-term challenge.For decades, mill...

Senator Chiz Escudero urged government agencies to intensify coordinated protection measures for Filipinos across the Middle East, citing the more than 2.2 million Filipinos living and working in the region and the over 1,100 Filipinos currently in Iran who may be affected by the escalating tensions following recent strikes in and around Iranian territory.In issuing the call, Escudero stressed that the sheer scale of the Filipino presence in the region demands a response that is both urgent and anticipatory.Escudero acknowledged President Marcos’ directive to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to activate contingency plans and account for Filipinos in affected areas. He said this swift action is essential, especially with Saudi A...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero will lead Senate hearings on a priority measure that will disqualify relatives of public officials from entering into government contracts, following his appointment as chairperson of a newly created subcommittee under the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation.The Senate approved Escudero’s designation during plenary on Monday after Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed that the move was made at the request of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chair of the parent committee. The chamber then referred the proposal under Senate Bill No. 783 to Escudero’s subcommittee, underscoring its role in bolstering transparency and accountability in public procurement.The senator from Sorsogon, who principally a...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the national government to aggressively market the new 99‑year lease terms under Republic Act No. 12252, saying the measure must be positioned as a long‑term anchor for jobs, capital, and development.Escudero issued the call as the Philippine economy expanded by only 4.4 percent in 2025, below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target and slower than the 5.5 percent posted in 2024. He warned that the country must compensate for weaker growth by strengthening investor confidence and accelerating structural reforms.“The law is already in place. What we need now is aggressive promotion and clear messaging to investors that the Philippines is ready for long‑term partnerships,” he said.The veteran legislator noted that foreign direct in...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) designation of Sorsogon as pilot area for its expanded classroom construction initiative, saying the province’s selection is a recognition of the local government unit’s (LGU) long-standing commitment to better education.In commending the initiative, Escudero said the move affirms the principle he earlier advocated: capable LGUs, when empowered through national partnerships, can accelerate progress in critical sectors like education.The senator has earlier called on the national government to pursue a tripartite agreement among DepEd, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), to empower qualified LGUs to achieve accelerated growth through improved inf...