De Lima says she has no problem running with Villanueva

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she does not see any problem running alongside Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva under the Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket.

Villanueva has been included in the third batch of officials charged in connection with the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Based on the complaint filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) before the NBI, Villanueva and eight other lawmakers have been slapped with a complaint for graft, malversation and bribery.

Earlier, Villanueva said he is uneasy running along de Lima and said he is open to being adopted as a guest candidate by other parties.

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

“Problema na niya ‘yun kung hindi siya comfortable sa akin (It’s his problem if he isn’t comfortable with me),” de Lima said, pointing out that Villanueva needs to understand that there is nothing personal with what she did.

De Lima said the first time she heard Villanueva say it, she opted not to react because she knows that what he has said was just a spur of the moment.

“Kung ganun pa din ang sinasabi niya ngayon, that is his problem (If he’s still saying that now, that is his problem). That is no longer my problem,” de Lima said.