VILLAR SAYS THEY JUST WANT TO SERVE

MANILA, November 11, 2012-THREE-term Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar has asserted  that their running in an election is merely all about public service and not building a political dynasty.     

“We just want to serve,” said Villar, whose husband, Sen. Manny Villar was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.

Senator Villar’s term ends in 2013. Their son, Mark , is seeking his second term as congressman of Las Pinas City.

            However, the former congresswoman assured  she will strictly adhere to  the law if it would later say that this is not allowed.           

“If there is a law on political dynasty, we will follow it. It’s not  only in running  for public office wherein we can serve the people,” said Villar who  served  as President of the Lady Legislators of the House during the 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th Congress.

At present, she noted there is no law  in the 1987 Constitution that specifically bars relatives from running for public office.

“What is prohibited right now is with regards to term limits... there is no other prohibitions,” she pointed out.

            But Villar averred that aside from running in a (political) position, they can do other things to serve and help people.         

Since 1992, when the Villar Foundation was founded, Villar   has been actively espousing programs for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), providing livelihood and caring for the environment.

Villar also sees nothing wrong in campaigning with Makabayan Koalisyon ng Mamayan (Makabayan) which endorsed her candidacy and that of  other senatorial hopefuls, incumbent Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former MTRCB chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares.

She said Makabayan, a political alliance of 11 partylist organizations, does not actually have a stage where they campaign.

Recalling her experience with the group, Villar said they just had meetings, and they ask you to join.

“It’s just a small group where they explain their stand on issues. It’s similar to a town hall meeting,” added Villar, a Nacionalista Party candidate running under the ruling Liberal Party and its coalition partners.