Poe awaits Villanueva’s decision for 2016 before holding talks

SENATOR Grace Poe said she is waiting for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Secretary Joel Villanueva to make a decision before discussing with him the possibility of including him in the senatorial ticket in 2016.

So far, Poe and her running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, have endorsed one senatorial bet: Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares.

“Kailangan munang kausapin, alam mo marami ring pinagdadaanan si director, secretary ng TESDA,” she said when asked, during a press conference in Cebu City on Thursday, if they would also endorse Villanueva’s possible senatorial bid.

Villanueva has yet to declare his senatorial bid in 2016, but his name was already being floated as among those who would be included in the Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket.

“Gusto rin natin malaman siyempre kung sino’ng makakasama natin kung sang-ayon din ba sila sa mga plataporma at kung ano rin ang kanilang maiaambag para sa ating mga kababayan. So bilang paggalang na rin sa kanya dahil hindi pa naman siya nagdedesisyon, siguro hintayin na lang po muna natin bago kami magbigay ng statement tungkol doon,” Poe said.

Escudero, during the same press conference, said Villanueva has not expressed his desire yet whether or not he wants to join him and Poe in 2016, noting that until now, the Tesda chief is still part of the administration’s coalition.

“In fact nananatili pa siyang secretary ng TESDA. Siguro matapos niya magkaroon ng sariling pagmumuni-muni at pagdesisyon, doon pa lamang marahil kami magkakausap at lalapitan at kakausapin si Senator Poe,” said Escudero.

“Pero sa ngayon nananatili kaming magkaibigan pero hinihintay rin namin yung kanyang pasya at desisyon dahil wala pa rin naman siyang aktwal na pagpaparating ng mensahe kay Senator Poe kaugnay sa bagay na iyan. Sa media lang din namin napapanood,” he further said.

Villanueva, in an interview, admitted that he would feel uneasy running with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who approved the filing of malversation and graft charges against him at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

READ: Villanueva says he’s uncomfortable running with de Lima

The Tesda chief had repeatedly denied the allegations against him.