CEBU, Philippines - Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar reiterated and strongly denied talks that he is the “secret” candidate of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, rumors from which the term “Villaroyo” was coined.
In an interview over DYHP yesterday, Villar said his critics have nothing more to accuse him of.
“Ang masasabi ko lang, mas maganda ang Aquino-Arroyo kasi yung mga kamag-anak ni Aquino ay nasa administrasyon ni GMA at nagtratrabaho doon. Samantala, maski isa sa aking pamilya walang nagtratrabaho kay GMA. Kay kung may isyung ganoon, Aquino-Arroyo at hindi Villaroyo,” Villar said.
Villar said that since the time he was removed as Senate President, he has not talked with President Arroyo nor had talks with any ally of the President including First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
Villar said that his campaign funds are coming from the Nacionalista Party and not the party of the president, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
One proof that the talks are baseless, he said, is the fact that he and Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto Teodoro are continuing to woe local leaders for back their respective candidacies.
“Kaya sa amin, sa Nacionalista Party, walang duda magkalaban kami dahil nag-uunahan kami makakuha ng mga local leaders hanggang ngayon,” Villar said.
On the issue of campaign advertisements, Villar contended other candidates also have their own share of the airtime, but it might just be that his advertisements are the ones getting a lot of attention.
“Marami din naman silang advertisements. Siguro kaya nakikita nila ang mga advertisements namin ay dahil hindi napapansin yung mga advertisements nila dahil hindi maganda. Kaya akala ng mga tao wala silang advertisements. Merong silang marami ring advertisements, hindi lang maganda,” Villar added.
Villar likewise denied reports that he got boxing champ Manny Pacquiao as endorser. He said Pacquiao is a very good friend and it was reportedly the latter who volunteered to campaign for him.
“Hindi ako lumapit kay Manny. Siya yung nag-volunteer na tulungan ako bilang kaibigan at ako naman ay hindi gumagamit ng isang kaibigan. Maski kalian, hindi ako nagsabi kay Manny na samahan ako. Gusto niya na manalo ako. Bilang kaibigan, naiintindihan ko ang gusto niyang mangyari,” Villar said.
Villar will hold another grand rally in Cebu before the May 10, 2010 elections. He and runningmate Loren Legarda and the NP senatorial slate were in Cebu last month for a grand rally in Mandaue City that drew more than 100,000 people. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)