Eddie Villanueva tells son Joel: Follow your conscience not your friends

MANILA, Philippines — Cibac party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva on Sunday told his son, Sen. Joel Villanueva, to “follow his conscience” and not base his decisions on his politician friends amid the row in the Senate.

Speaking before the Jesus Is Lord Church, a Christian megachurch founded by the House lawmaker, Rep. Villanueva highlighted his son’s contributions and lamented the current state of politics in the country.

READ: Villanueva to attend special session: Not the time to take sides

“That is why I told Joel: follow your conscience. Follow the perfect will of God, not your politician friends, not your companions,” Rep. Villanueva said in Filipino.

“Make your decisions not based on what people want in politics, but based on what God wants for your life. That is what should prevail,” he added.

Rep. Villanueva then quoted Bible verses reminding the senator that he cannot always please people.

“You should not let yourself be influenced by what people want,” the lawmaker-evangelist said in Filipino.

“One political camp wants this from you. Another camp, a different politician’s camp, wants something else. Forget them all. Seek the Lord,” he added.

Rep. Villanueva’s pronouncement came after Sen. Villanueva announced that he intends to attend the special session of Congress that may be called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which is seen as a potential venue to resolve the leadership row in the Senate.

The senator also acknowledged the ongoing wrangling in the upper chamber, saying it has not only affected the institution but also its employees.

So far, Joel is the only senator from the bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who has expressed openness to joining the special session. /mcm