Rep. Camille Villar declines deputy speakership

Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar with father, former Senate President Manny Villar. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar declined the post of House deputy speaker just hours after being elected on Wednesday.

“It is an opportune time to work with my fellow congressmen and the leaders of the House of Representatives on policy measures that would give personal and economic relief to our kababayans amid the past disasters and the pandemic,” Villar said in her letter dated Nov. 18 to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

“But the greater tact is adherent responsibility to our constituents, the adroit loyalty to allies and friends and the constant affinity to the leadership and nation,” she added.

Villar expressed the hope that her turning down the post would be read soonest in plenary and be reflected in the records of the chamber.

“Rest assured that I am committed to your goals as a partner in development and will support your legislative agenda in the formation of a Congress of the people. My sincere gratitude and appreciation,” she said.

Villar is a member of the Nacionalista Party, the political party of the ousted Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano whom Velasco replaced. She is also the daughter of former Senate President Manny Villar, the NP chairman.

During Wednesday’s session, several allies of Cayetano were stripped of their post as deputy speaker— namely, Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro, Laguna 1st District Rep. Dan Fernandez, and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu.

Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo was also replaced as the head of the contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).

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