Senate will remain independent, won’t be Palace rubber stamp – Villar

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday allayed fears  that the new Senate would become Malacanang’s rubber-stamp.

Administration – backed candidates, including Villar, dominated the recently-concluded senatorial race based on the partial and official count.

“Alam mo para ka maging senador, matalino ka naman e. Hindi naman  yung katulad namin ang magiging rubber-stamp,”   Villar, who is  leading the senatorial race, said in an interview over radio dzMM.

“My God, we worked hard for this position. I worked hard to study, you know, I’ve done a lot in my life.   How can I be a rubber-stamp?”

Before she was elected senator years ago, Villar was  a businesswoman and a member of the House of Representatives.

“I know what I want  and what is good for the people  in my own  way. I don’t  think I can be a rubber-stamp,” she added.

The Senate, she stressed, will only listen  to President Rodrigo Duterte  if it would be good for the  people.

Villar said every elected senator has his or her own mind.

She also expressed doubts that the President would ask them to support something disadvantageous to the people.

She also defended  Duterte from  his critics.

“Hindi naman ako biased kay President ha pero si President  naman  hindi  siya walang hiyang tao. Hindi niya papagawa   yung something na hindi maganda,” she said.

In fact, she said, the President did not ask favors from her since he assumed the presidency.  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)