Celebrity and fashion icon Heart Evangelista-Escudero on Monday called on all Filipino voters to be discerning in choosing the country’s next set of leaders in the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections, advising them to study carefully the track record and agenda for governance of all candidates.
Evangelista, a global brand ambassador and wife of Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted she didn’t know her husband personally well when they first met in 2007, but was impressed when she saw hiim in an event in La Union.
“In 2007, I didn’t know him (Chiz) personally, and I remember I saw him in an event in La Union and he spoke so well. Doon pa lang hinangaan ko na siya (At that point, I was really impressed at him). And it was really refreshing to know somebody who knows what he is saying,” Evangelista said during a press conference in Cebu City where she campaigned for her husband who is seeking a fresh six-year term in the Senate.
“So, I did my research and I discovered the many things he has done as a public servant,” she said when asked if she would still vote for the veteran legislator if they were not a couple.
A social media icon, Evangelista told reporters that she is doing her part as a conscientious voter and citizen.
The actress said Filipino voters should do their own research to get to know the candidates more and help them make an informed decision when they finally cast their ballots on May 9.
“I think this is something that we should also practice. We just do not look at the ads or what is in front of us but we should be responsible enough to do research and I did research about him,” she stressed.
While she was really impressed by the information she read about the Bicolano lawmaker, Evangelista said she was also disappointed that Escudero was married at the time.
“That was the end of the road for me,” the actress said, eliciting laughter from the press. “But eventually, he became my husband!”
“So, we need to do our research para alam natin kung tama ba ang ating mga pinipili (so we would know if we are making the right choices,” she pointed out.
Evangelista also said disclosed that both she and her husband are still discussing whom they will vote for president and vice president.
“Meron akong napupusuan pero again ayokong magmadali (I feel for some candidates but I don’t want to rush)... We both respect each other’s choices, hindi kami nag-aaway ng dahil lang dun at hindi tayo dapat nag-aaway-away dahil lang sa politics (we don’t fight just because of that and we should not fight just because of politics),” Evangelista said.
At the same time, Evangelista defended her husband’s policy to declare Sorsogon an “open province” to all political parties and candidates who want to campaign.
The move she said benefits Sorsoganons as they get to hear the platform of governance of each candidate.
According to Evangelista, her husband wants the people to freely choose whom they want to vote for in the elections.
“It is democracy that you have to introduce everybody and you are not biased to any of them because everybody has a choice. Iyon siguro din ang dahilan niya kaya lahat sila, dinadala at hino-host sa Sorsogon (I think that is also his reason that’s why he accepts and hosts them here in Sorsogon). And I think that is beautiful,” she said.