De Lima, Villanueva will campaign together–Lacierda
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Tesda Director-General Joel Villanueva. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
They might not campaign for each other but they will definitely campaign together, a Malacañang official said, referring to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director-General Joel Villanueva.
Villanueva earlier said that he is uncomfortable running with De Lima after he was included in the third batch of officials sued for malversation in relation to the pork barrel scam.
READ: Villanueva says he’s uncomfortable running with De Lima
Both are close allies of President Benigno Aquino III and are reportedly being considered for the ruling Liberal Party’s senate slate.
“They will campaign together,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, explaining that the coalition slate, which includes politicians who are not members of the LP, is bound by reform and advocacy.
“They are one in principle. What is that principle? The principle of good governance. Everyone who will belong to the coalition will have adhered to the principle that President Aquino has always advocated, that of good governance,” he added.
“There may have been some differences between Secretary Joel and Secretary Leila de Lima, but both of them are in the Daang Matuwid reform program,” Lacierda explained.
He said he is confident that the two officials, who are set to resign from their posts, will “recognize the principle of good governance over their personal differences, if any.”
Lacierda said Villanueva has done a lot for Tesda, which has benefited 8 million people.
“Marami [hong] natutulungan ang TESDA compared to the previous head of TESDA,” he said, without naming former Tesda chief Augusto Syjuco who is now facing graft charges.
Lacierda said everyone knows about De Lima’s good performance as justice secretary.
