Senators expressed unequivocal support for Majority Leader Joel Villanueva amid incessant attacks over his disclosures on the fake people’s initiative.
Villanueva’s colleagues described him as a hardworking, efficient and honest public servant who only wanted to do the right thing for the Filipino people.
Critics, the senators said, should not stray away from the real issues Villanueva raised and face them head on.
“I hope our friends in the House are circumspect. Hindi maganda ang mga paratang na ganyan. It is not good for inter-parliamentary courtesy. Tayo po rito ay nagtatrabaho,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
Senator Pia Cayetano said she has known Villanueva to be “spoken and vocal” on issues relevant to the public.
“Kung naglabas siya ng ebidensya, bakit hindi siya sagutin nang maayos? Tayo ay naninindigan at nagbibigay ng suporta dahil ang gustong gawin ng ating kaibigan ay trabaho,” said Cayetano.
Senator Sonny Angara said he could not let pass the attacks against Villanueva, who is “like a dear friend, like a brother to us, always working hard for the people’s interest.”
Angara heaped praise on Villanueva for raising the questionable signature drive for the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
He said there should be no “fast break” when it comes to tinkering with the country’s Charter. It needs thorough consultation and with the participation of a wide majority, which was what Villanueva stressed.
“It’s not something to trifle with. Hindi po biro, seryosong usapan ito. ….I would like to pay tribute to our Majority Leader for fighting for our institution, but more than that, for fighting for the Filipino people,” Angara said.
Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said he is a witness to how Villanueva works hard, adding that even during light moments they would discuss combating corruption and poverty reduction efforts.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa left a piece of advice for Villanueva’s critics: “To those who want to attack Sen. Joel Villanueva, please attack him on the issues that we are tackling. Do not attack him personally, because kung personal na attack-an na ito, they will be attacking the 23 senators who are solidly behind Sen. Joel Villanueva. This is how we do it in the Senate.”
Villanueva, for his part, thanked his colleagues for their support, showing solidarity in the upper chamber.
“Nakakataba po ng puso ang suporta ng ating mga kasamahan sa Senado kaya mas lalo po tayong nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob na manindigan at makipaglaban hindi lamang po para sa institusyon kundi lalong lalo na sa ating mga kababayan,” the Majority Leader said.
“Marami na pong nagawa ang inyong Senado, pero kulang pa at alam ko po bilang miyembro ng institusyong ito na maraming marami pa tayong magagawa para sa bayan. Kaya magtrabaho na po tayo,” he ended.
