MANILA, Philippines - Following a three-week break after conceding the presidential election to Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Nacionalista Party bet Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. has reconnected with his supporters in his Facebook account.
He was also spotted at a hotel in Pasay City, meeting up with his allies at the Senate.
In a note posted in his Facebook account, Villar said he will continue his work as senator in the remaining three years of his term despite his loss in the presidential elections.
“I know I can never thank you enough for being with me all throughout the campaign and for continuing to believe in me as I continue my work as a senator. Let me give it back to you by once again working very hard in the remaining three years of my term. You deserve no less,” Villar said.
Villar’s note was posted yesterday, the same day that he was spotted with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Joker Arroyo at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City after the Senate suspended session at past 11 a.m. to pave way for the canvassing at the House of Representatives.
Reports said the group of Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Edgardo Angara, Richard Gordon and Bong Revilla “bumped into” Villar’s group at the same hotel, where the members of the so-called Angara bloc decided to have lunch after the Senate session.
Villar is said to be eyeing the Senate presidency anew while Angara’s bloc is still deciding who to support for the Senate leadership.
The two senators reportedly only exchanged greetings, then went back to their respective tables.
In his Facebook note, Villar addressed his supporters as “Dearest Katropa” and thanked them for “having walked the extra mile with me in this election.”
He also made a commitment to work harder to help his countrymen.
“Ours was a difficult but a rewarding journey. Though we did not succeed, we remain triumphant for having fought a good and decent fight. Indeed, while the campaign was intense and grueling, it left me with an indelible experience that I know will serve me well as a public servant,” Villar said.
As of press time, Villar’s note received 361 comments while about 842 Facebook users “liked” the item.