After stepping down as president Villar: Gloria should retire from politics

CEBU, Philippines – Presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar is asking President Gloria Arroyo to retire from politics after her presidency.

“Presidente na siya tapos tatakbo pa siyang kongresista sa Pampanga. Mas magandang mag-retire na lang siya at mamahinga na lang,” Villar said in a press conference yesterday at Laguna Garden Cafe in Cebu City.

Villar, former Senate president, admitted though that he is not in good terms with the president.

As of the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Station, Villar was among the top choices for president.

“Akoy maligaya sa resulta dahil nagpapatunay lang yan nagugustuhan ng taongbayan ‘yung mga ginagawa natin na para talaga sa kanila,” Villar said as he disputed any anomaly in the Circumferential Road project.

Villar said that when the C-5 controversy came out, he chose to go straight to the people to clarify the issue and air his side.

“I know I cannot get fair treatment from a committee dominated by political rivals. I am not mistaken, Ipinakita ng survey na ito na nagtitiwala pa rin ang mga tao sa akin bilang leader sa kabila ng pamulitika laban sa akin,” Villar said. 

As Nacionalista Party president, he also said they are going against the passage of controversial House Resolution 1109 that enables the House of Representatives to convene itself into a Constituent Assembly and make changes to the Constitution without the Senate’s participation.

Villar said that it is clearly provided for under the present Constitution that the Senate must likewise be included should there be an amendment in the Constitution.

Villar said that it is highly suspicious on the part of the House of Representatives to pass HR 1109 in just one night.

“Hindi naman ‘yan pwede na pwede mong baguhin ang Constitution sa isang gabi lang. Kaya kami sa Nacionalista, oppose kami sa Con-Ass. Let us not force the issue,” Villar said.

Villar was here in Cebu to attend the 6th Provincial Convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Pangasinan Chapter held at Crown Regency Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City where he was the guest speaker.

In his speech, Villar talked about his humble beginnings and encouraged the barangay officials who attended the said convention to continue to work hard and being patient in everything they do. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)