Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero” yesterday said he is optimistic that the Redistricting Bill of Bacolod City if passed by Congress early, has a big chance of being approved before Congress resumes in 2013.

However, he is not in favor of hastening the passage of the Divorce Bill of the Philippines into law, he said.

Escudero said he has already expressed his support for the redistricting of Bacolod City which is now in the Committee of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, Escudero said he is against the provisions of the controversial House Bill No. 1799 authored by Gabriela Party List Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, which will legalize divorce in the Philippines.

He is in favor that annulment will be made more accessible and affordable in the country, he said, adding that only the rich can afford it. The poor, who cannot afford it, only live in with another partner after they have separated from their spouses, he added.

Escudero said if they push for the passage of the Divorce Bill, they should clarify who is the guilty spouse and who cannot remarry.

Asked for his stand on the Reproductive Health Bill, Escudero said he is considering four things – a clear provision on abortion, a clear provision that government should remain passive, a provision that the government, and the Church should not go beyond the privacy of the bedroom of a husband and wife. “It should be based on a free and informed choice,” he said.

Escudero also said that if sex education should be added to the curriculum, it should not be earlier than the first year of high school.

On the other hand, Escudero denied rumors linking him to TV host Kris Aquino after she announced that she has filed for legal separation from her husband, James Yap.

“It is a rumor. It is not true. She denied it herself, so do I,” he said.*CGS

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