Sun.Star: Villar firm in seeking presidency

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines - Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. is 99 percent sure he is joining the 2010 presidential race. The one percent, he said, is on the possibility of no election. All that he is waiting is the nomination of the Nacionalista Party (NP), which he heads. "We are prepared to have alliance with other political parties," he stated. Villar was one of the personalities who immediately sent assistance to the typhoon-affected towns in Pangasinan. He donated bottles of purified water; some of the beneficiary local government units (LGUs) distributed these to their rural health units (RHU). On the possible senatorial candidates, Villar said the NP already has a list of possible candidates long before Lakas started floating their own list. He said some of those being floated as possible Lakas senatorial bets, in fact, applied with NP. But the Senate President clarified that they do not float their list, saying they announce their senatorial candidates months before the national election. As regards former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr's decision not to talk yet on what he knows about the controversial national broadband network (NBN)-ZTE deal, Villar said De Venecia can testify anytime, but that will be after the Senate resumes session. The Senate will adjourn next week. Villar clarified that the Senate Blue Ribbon committee is not being obliged to finish the NBN-ZTE deal committee hearing soon as they are still awaiting the court's final decision on their motion for former planning secretary now Commission on Higher Education (Ched) Chairman Romulo Neri to answer their four questions at the Senate inquiry. De Venecia announced few days ago that he will not speak up as of yet. He wanted to be physically-prepared when he finally testifies at the Senate as he expects he will be attacked and discredited by the administration and its allies. "At the proper time and at the proper forum soon, I shall testify willingly on what I know of the ZTE scandal and other instances of corruption in the government. That service I owe to the nation and to the Filipino people, and I intend to fulfill it," he said. Villar said he respects the congressman's decision and that he is a credible witness as, among others, constant travel companion of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when they were still allies. As to whether he is a crucial witness in the NBN-ZTE controversy, Villar said this will only be known after De Venecia has given his testimony. Meanwhile, the senator clarified that no government money is being used in his television public campaign concerning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). He said this is being paid by his own foundation, which he established more than 20 years ago to help oppressed Filipinos especially those working abroad. He is also advocating that cases of maltreated or abused OFWs must be treated by the government as "no fault insurance" like in vehicular accidents. The most common complaints of OFWs are maltreatment, prostitution, rape, and no salary. Majority of the victims are working in the Middle East. - Sun.Star