MANILA, Philippines - Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar will not run for the Senate but will instead seek reelection for a third and last term in his district in 2016.
Villar issued the statement on his political plans ahead of the start of the five-day period filing of the certificates of candidacy on Oct. 12. The lawmaker has earlier appeared in TV ads with his father, former Senate president and real estate tycoon Manny Villar, which triggered reports that he will be running for senator.
“We’re sincerely grateful for the outpouring of support from the Filipino people who think that I could better serve them as senator as shown by the surveys,” he said.
“While I have not formally declared a Senate bid, I remain flattered by the encouraging polling numbers,” he added.
He said after consultations with his constituents, supporters and family, they have come to the conclusion “that there is still much to be done in Las Piñas and in the House of Representatives.”
He said he wants to focus his energies on the advocacies he has started since his first term and spend more time with his wife, DIWA party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay, and their baby