Manila Bulletin

A good dynasty – Villar

- By VANNE ELAINE P. TERRAZOLA

Re-electionis­t Senator Cynthia Villar on Thursday said she and her family will abide should proposals against political dynasties be signed into law.

Villar assured that she would not take offense if Congress passes a bill prohibitin­g political dynasties and instead, follow when it becomes a law.

"'Yong [anti-]dynasty law, basta napasa 'yon susunod tayo (As soon as an anti-dynasty law is passed, we will follow). We always follow the law and we just adjust to the law," she said in an interview on ABSCBN News Channel Thursday.

"And nothing personal. Sa aming pamilya wala naman maraming tatakbo (Only a few members of family are running). I mean, we're short of candidates," she added.

Villar did not deny belonging to a dynasty when asked if she considers her family such.

"A good dynasty," she quickly responded.

She expressed belief that families are elected into office because they have been performing their duties well.

"Maybe they're better than the ones na hindi na nare-elect (who are not reelected). So it's the perception of the people, especially us in Metro Manila. We cannot be a bad dynasty in Metro Manila. They (voters) are so intelligen­t. They will not allow you to be there if you're not good," Villar said.

The Aguilar-Villar clan has ruled over Las Piñas for several years.

Villar is seeking her second term in Senate which her husband, business tycoon and former Senator Manuel Villar, once led. The couple was both former Las Piñas congressme­n before gunning for the Senate post.

Their son, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar was also Las Piñas City's representa­tive before being appointed into President Duterte's Cabinet in 2016; while their daughter, Camille Villar, is running for the congressio­nal seat of their bailiwick city in the May midterm polls.

Currently, Las Piñas City is headed by Sen. Villar's sister-in-law, Mayor Imelda Aguilar, who is also seeking reelection with her daughter April Aguilar as running mate for vice mayor. Sen. Villar's brother, Vergel Aguilar, was the city mayor before her wife Imelda.

Despite repeated calls for its passage, anti-political dynasty bills have been languishin­g in Congress.

Proponents of the planned shift to a federal government also want anti-dynasty provisions retained in the federalism proposal.

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