TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva said Wednesday he is open to running for senator under an NPC-led coalition with Senator Grace Poe to avoid Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Villanueva, supposedly President Benigno Aquino III’s favorite Cabinet secretary, was earlier included by De Lima in the third batch of officials charged with graft over their alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional.
“Yes, I will admit that a part of the current administration would make me think of running to other parties if DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima would be part of that coalition,” Villanueva told The Standard.
“We’re thinking about it. If we’re not welcome in one party, are we ready to run as independent? If there are other parties that are willing to adopt us, we would think about that.
“We also have to check if that party would be okay to our constituents and our supporters as well. I am opening my options if that time comes.”
Villanueva was seen in a gathering at the NPC Clubhouse in Quezon City with top party officials including Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.
“We were invited by our old friends from Congress, and in the cocktails we had a chance to talk with NPC leaders Governor Faustino Dy, Representative Giorgidi Aggabao, as well as Senator Chiz and Senator Grace,” Villanueva said.
He said he still had weeks to decide on his run for the Senate, and while he was “90-percent sure” he was still waiting for the other 10 percent and the blessings of his family and President Aquino.
“I’m not hiding anything about my interest to run in the coming polls, and we have a good camaraderie with the NPC, NP, NUP and other members of the Liberal Party,” Villanueva said
“There’s no bad blood between me and our inspirational leader, President Aquino, but I’ll stand by my word that some members in the administration [do not like] me.”
Villanueva said he, Poe and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II wanted to continue the reforms started by Aquino.
But he said he was not ready to be with De Lima in any function.
“I’m not ready to be with De Lima who implicates me and thinks that I’m a criminal,” Villanueva said.
