In the pilot webisode of Examine, one of the pioneering web shows launched by GMANews.TV for Eleksyon 2010, Senator Francis âChiz" Escudero answered the top ten questions of Filipino web users from all over the world.
For an hour, Sen. Francis âChiz" Escudero answered tough questions that ranged from his political ambitions and platforms, to his âChizzyness." - GMANews.TV
Netizens sent almost a hundred questions through different platforms including e-mail, short messaging service (SMS) or text messaging, and even social media like Facebook and Twitter. The questions covered a wide range of topics â from the Senatorâs favorite drink to his views on land reform and the pending reproductive health bill in Congress. Gang Badoy, the founder of RockEd Philippines, a non-governmental organization advocating alternative education and youth empowerment, asked the top ten questions which were chosen by the GMANews.TV editorial team. Escudero, who is perceived to be one of the major contenders for next yearâs presidential race, gamely bantered with Badoy as she followed up some of the questions posted by GMANews.TV fans. When web user Jan Carlo Punongbayan of Quezon City asked Escudero how he plans to finance his campaign and recoup his expenses, Badoy commented, âthey always ask that question," to which Escudero jokingly replied, âActually
ang tinatanong nila yung tingin lang nilang walang pera. Yung mayaman âdi nila tinatanong." (Actually, they only ask those whom they think donât have money. The donât ask the rich ones.) On a more serious note, Escudero said he plans to keep within his means. He added: âIâm of the firm belief in Kevin Costnerâs words in the Field of Dreams, âIf you build it, they will come.â" A Facebook user, Seph Holandes from Fairview, Quezon City cheekily asked, â
Bakit po robotic
ang manner of speaking ninyo? Aminin natin. We all want to know." (Why is your manner of speaking robotic? Letâs admit it. We all want to know.) Escudero answered, â
Kasi natuto akong i-distansiya ang emosyon ko sa ano mang ginagawang trabaho ⦠kung kaya kong baguhin âyun (ang aking pananalita), binago ko kahapon pa." (Because Iâve learned to distance myself from any task Iâm working on ⦠if I could change the way I talk, I would have changed it yesterday.) He also shared his thoughts on key issues such as land reform, reproductive health, and corruption and fielded questions about his track record as a Congressman and Senator.
Examine with Senator Chiz Escudero is now live at
Your Vox, the web election primer of GMANews.TV. To view the full episode, click
here. Sen. Escudero was also featured in
Exchange, the first and only live chat forum in the Philippines for election candidates last September 10. To view video excerpts from the chat, click
here. Watch out for more episodes of Examine featuring presidential aspirants and election experts! Coming soon: COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento and Director James Jimenez answer top ten questions from Netizens on the first ever automated elections in the country. â
Mavie Almeda-Ungco, GMANews.TV