former Senator Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar. FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Cynthia Villar did not rule out the possibility that her husband, former Senator Manny Villar, may return to politics and run again for president in 2016.
Manny Villar, president of the Nacionalista party (NP), ran but lost in 2010 to now President Benigno Aquino III.
“Alam mo kay Manny ang presidency is destiny for him after 2010. Sabi niya kung sayo iyan, dadating sayo yan. Kung hindi sayo yan , hindi dadating sayo yan (You know, for Manny, presidency is destiny for him after 2010. He said if it’s meant for you, then it will come. If not, then it won’t come),” the senator said in an interview on Wednesday when asked if her husband could be the Nacionalista Party’s bet in 2016.
When asked again the same question, Senator Villar said: “He’s not saying that if it’s really being pointed to him, then why will he not take the challenge. But if it’s not being pointed to him, why will he do it. That’s the way it is for him.”
But Senator Villar said the NP has not yet formally discussed its plans in 2016, saying it was too premature to decide on it at the moment.
Even her husband though, he said, welcomed other NP members who also want to make themselves available for the highest position in the land.
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano was one of the NP members who has openly declared his intention to run for president while Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes, another partymate, was said to be his running mate.
Another NP member, Senator Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr., was also mentioned as among the possible contenders in the 2016 presidential race.
“They are all deserving, they can do it because they are all popular. It’s a matter only of finding out if you’re popular to become president or vice president. There’s nothing wrong about it,” Senator Villar said of the three senators.
“Like Bong-Bong, he is a re-electionist senator. If in the future he decides that he will not run as president or vice president, he can always run for reelection as a senator. He has nothing to lose because he will be campaigning as a reelectionist. “
She said the three senators could all aspire to become president but in the end , the “chance of winning” should remain the biggest motivation for one to decide whether to run or not.
The senator said her husband was informed about the positioning of the three senators and was okay with it.
In fact, she said, Manny Villar has an advice for the three senators: “ Aba maging popular kayo para manalo kayo (You have to be popular to win).”