Vidal advised Bro. Eddie to remain independent

CEBU, Philippines - Bangon Pilipinas lone senatorial candidate, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, has disclosed getting some advice from Cebu Archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal about his running for the Senate.

Villanueva confided Tuesday to The Freeman that he met Vidal in Manila before the retired cardinal left for Vatican City for the conclave.

“Ang sabi niya sa akin, huwag mong tatanggapin ang offer ng ibang dominant political parties, better for you to remain as independent under Bangon Pilipinas Party para acceptable sa lahat,” Villanueva said. (He told me not to accept offers of dominant political parties. It would be more acceptable to everybody if I remain independent.)

He said that he also got the same advice from another bishop.

Villanueva said that Vidal is happy that he is running for the Senate.

“He told me that the tarp when I run for president was not removed from the church compound,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva considers Vidal as his father and Vidal also considers him as his son. He also quoted Vidal as saying, “I will tell my people to secretly support you.”

Villanueva vowed to be the peacemaker if elected in the Senate, saying he has the moral ascendancy.

He said that some incumbent senators who are his friends told him the need for a “moral compass” as bicker with each other on some issues.

“I could be the most qualified as peacemaker, if there is misunderstanding, I can pacify them and ask them to prioritize urgent bills into laws that could address the problems of the country,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said that the Bro. Eddie for Senator Movement has been formed two years ago led by former Chief Justice Renato Puno with various Christian leaders and other denominations.

His son, Secretary Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, was endorsed by President Benigno Aquino III to the Liberal Party senatorial slate.

Villanueva said this has not stopped the proponents to push him to run. He said when Aquino finally decided to have Joel stay as Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, he did not also ask to be in the slate.

This is also the reason he did not join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada. — (FREEMAN)