IN MANILA AND OUT OF AFRICA - CHIZ CLARIFIES

Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Thursday clarified reports he is included in the list of senators who will attend the 188th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) general assembly in South Africa.

'I am out of Africa and will just be here in Manila sweltering in the summer heat like the millions others. I can't take a leave from my babies sitting duties on account of a hold-departure order by my wife,' Escudero said.

Escudero clarified he had informed Senate President Manuel Villar since March that he would not be going to the IPU General assembly slated on April 13 to 18 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The opposition senator explained that aside from his baby-sitting duties, he is also preparing for the resumption of the session on April 21. Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said he will be holding hearings next week on smuggling and tax evasion.

"I want to spend more time with my family, especially my twins, and get ready for the resumption of the session. In fact, I will be holding hearings next week on smuggling and tax evasion. The hunt for them is my fiscal safari," Escudero said.

The senator, who have yet to attend any IPU meeting even during his three-year term as Sorsogon representative, however, said that Philippine legislators has to attend the meeting since the country is a party to the IPU. Besides, Escudero said, discussions on the conference would deal on addressing poverty, national security and individual freedoms.