Villar says duty to nation above family business interests

Sen. Cynthia Villar on Friday said she considered her duty to the nation as being “above” her family’s business interests amid accusations on social media that the Villar-led property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. was behind the leveling of a hill on Boracay Island.

“My duty to our nation is primary and is above and separate from my family’s business interests,” said Villar, chair of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources.

She issued the statement as her family came under attack on social media for its business interests on Boracay Island, which was ordered shut down by government to allow for its rehabilitation.

In her statement, Villar insisted that her family had “long stopped” all developments in Boracay.

“I would like to reiterate and stress that all developments in our Boracay investment have long stopped,” she said.

Villar’s husband, former Sen. Manuel Villar, chairs Vista Land. Their son, Mark Villar, is currently the public works secretary. —DJ YAP