Villanueva says: “Broken relationship” with Leila De Lima won’t hamper bid

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party senatorial candidate Joel Villanueva admits that he is still uncomfortable running alongside former Department of Justice secretary Leila de Lima.

“It feels awkward and weird but nothing has changed. There is no such thing a perfect setup. If I would wait for a perfect setup to come into the picture baka hindi na ako makapaglingkod sa bayan,” said Villanueva yesterday.

Villanueva described his relationship with de Lima as “basag” or broken relationship.

 The former secretary of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority for five years earlier said that he is not going to run for senator under a slate with somebody “who thinks that he is a criminal.”

DOJ filed a complaint against Villanueva, among others, before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged involvement in the PDAF scam.

“Hanggang ngayon wala pong kaso ang na file laban sa akin. Complaint pa lang sa Ombudsman. According to NBI, na under sa DOJ, none of the 21 documents are authentic. Lahat po peke. Ewan ko kung ano ang nag-udyok sa DOJ na pilit talaga isinama ang pangalan ko,” Villanueva had said.

In an earlier interview with de Lima, she said that they never implied that Villanueva is a criminal.

“Who is saying na criminal siya? Wala akong sinasabing ganoon,” de Lima said.

Meanwhile, Villanueva, former representative of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption in the 12th, 13th and 14th Congress, said that if elected as senator, he will continue to produce more jobs.

“Kasi ang trabaho yan ang nagpapa-aral ng mga anak mo, nagbayad ng mga bills mo, ang bumili ng mga gamot. Kaya importante talaga ang trabaho,” said Villanueva.

He added that he wants to continue what he has started at TESDA since the momentum has to continue.

“May naambag din naman ako sa TESDA na gusto kong ipagpatuloy, palawakin at palawigin. Hindi lang sa TESDA at ihawa natin ang iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan para mag perform well. Most of all battlercry natin ito to continue creating jobs,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva also said that job opportunities and investments should be spread out, not just in the cities but also in far-flung areas.

Villanueva also said that he will push for an increase in the budget for the Technical-Vocational sector, and to continue to educate the public on the importance of tech-voc in the education curriculum.

“The young people workforce would play a vital role in nation building. We are the owners of our future.” said Villanueva during yesterday’s forum with students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Villanueva is the son of evangelist, brother Eddie Villanueva, who ran as president in the 2010 election.  (FREEMAN)