Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Thursday, June 13 said he was being "gentlemanly" in waiting for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos during a recent event at Malacañang Palace.
Escudero offered this explanation as he sought to address the viral video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) where the First Lady was seen grabbing his wine glass during the recent Vin d'Honneur for the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence held at the Palace.
"I consider waiting on a lady (first or otherwise) to be gentlemanly," Escudero said in a statement.
"Maaaring sabihin ng iba na maka-luma o parang 'under' pero para sakin, hindi kailanman magiging maka-luma o di uso, ano man ang itawag ng iba, ang pagiging maginoo at pakikipag-kapwa tao (Others might say it is old-fashioned or it seems under, but for me, being gentlemanly and considerate will never be out of style)," the Senate President said.
Last month, Escudero was voted the new Senate leader after 15 senators signed a resolution agreeing to a change in leadership, ousting then Senate president Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri.
Escudero had owned up to instigating the coup, but denied that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. had a hand in Zubiri's ouster.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also denied having any hand in the sudden Senate leadership change.