Joel Villanueva on differences with De Lima: We act as professionals

MANILA, Philippines – Despite differences with former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, resigned Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Joel Villanueva on Friday said they both act professionals as part of the senatorial slate of the Liberal Party.

“Kami po ay nagkasama sa gabinete ni Pangulong Noynoy and we act as professionals and it is what it is whatever I said in the past few weeks e pinaninidigan ko po. Ang aking paninindigan ay mas lalong tumibay sa katotohanan, katarungan at katwiran,” Villanueva said after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) last Friday.

Villanueva was earlier hesitant in joining the administration ticket with De Lima who recommended the filing of graft charges against him and several other former and incumbent lawmakers led by Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

The former TESDA chief denied the allegations and admitted that he has yet to be comfortable with the idea of campaigning with De Lima. However, he said he is willing to set aside their differences for the greater good. He stressed that he has no pending case with the Ombudsman.

“Wala hong perfect set-up ang ating slate at kung hihintayin po natin ang perfect set-up para makapaglingkod sa ating bayan hindi ko po ‘yun gagawin sapagkat kinuha ko na po yung katungkulan para magbigay ng magandang kinabukasan at trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan so yung personal feelings po natin, we’ll let go of it for the greater good,” Villanueva said.

Asked if he can work with De Lima in the Senate if elected, Villanueva responded to the reporters by comparing his feelings with the feelings of overseas Filipino workers who sacrifice just to be able to help their families.

“We work together in the Cabinet but again it remains the same 'yung aking nararamdaman,” Villanueva said.

“Marami tayong mga kababayang TechVoc (technical-vocational) graduates ng TESDA ang pumunta sa ibang bansa, napunta sa iba’t ibang klase ng trabaho, maaring hindi nila gusto yung trabaho na iyon maaring ginagawa lang nila 'yun para sa kanilang anak, siguro ganun din po yung aking nararamdaman,” he added.

Villanueva said his advocacy to provide work to Filipinos will remain his priority and not these issues.

The former TESDA Chief who called himself “TESDA man” is running for the senatorial post for the first time. He is one of the neophyte senatorial candidates of the LP aside from De Lima, former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Rep. Cresente Paez, Interior Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns Nariman Ambolodto and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief Mark Lapid.