GABALDON, Nueva Ecija – The Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) Partylist coalesced with the administration’ Liberal Party (LP) will unconditionally support President Aquino’s choice candidates from other parties for the 2016 elections. This was the statement of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva who also declared being open for a senate slate during his visit here Friday last week.
Villanueva was joined by Nueva Ecija mayors led by League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Nueva Ecija President Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis of Penaranda in distributing some P10.3 million worth of scholarship grants to 13 technical and vocational institutions as well as an organization which provides “trainers’ methodology.”
Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas of Palayan City who runs a technical institute for welders, pipe fitters and call center agents, was also present to get the support of Villanueva. TESDA has delivered to Nueva Ecija some P60 million worth of projects this year, Villanueva said.
“Iginagalang natin ang liderato ng ating Pangulo, kung saan niya nais dalhin ang coalition na ito,” Villanueva said in a press briefing at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) campus here. Villanueva said there have already been a lot of exploratory talks among parties for the 2016 elections. “Pero ayokong pangunahan ang ating pangulo at kung saan niya tayo dalhin, tayo ay susuporta pa rin sa kanya sapagkat nakikita natin, not only his sincerity, but also his dedication and passion to really bring this country to the highest level,” he said.
Villanueva also said he will seek a seat in the senate. “Mahihirapan po akong sabihin kung meron o wala sapagkat kung matatandaan po ninyo noong 2013 akala ho ng lahat ay tatakbo akong senador at alam naman po ng lahat ang nangyari noon. Isang pakiusap lang ng atin g pangulo nun e tumiklop po ako,” he said.
“But aaminin ko po sa inyo open po ako sa option nayan since 2013 at open po ako at sabi ng asawa ko mas open daw po siya na ako’y mag-early retirement from public service,” he added. He also dismissed the possibility of his father, Pastor Eddie Villanueva, running in 2016. “Definitely not,” he said. “Aawayin ko siya,” Villanueva said. The evangelist has been busy with his work and appeared to be happy about it, he added.
