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)