Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar has resigned from his post, he announced on Monday, October 4.

At the DPWH’s flag-raising ceremony, Villar said he was stepping down, but did not give a reason why.

“This is my last day after five years. I have officially filed my resignation effective Wednesday (October 6), so I will be stepping down on Wednesday as secretary,” said Villar.

He said he told President Rodrigo Duterte that leading the DPWH was the “biggest honor of his life.”

It is unclear if Villar resigned in preparation for a Senate bid in the 2022 elections. The filing of certificates of candidacy is until Friday, October 8.

Villar had been nominated by the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as part of its Senate slate.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Monday, Cusi said Villar would be running under PDP-Laban.

Villar also has the option of running under his parents’ party, the Nacionalista Party. Tycoon and former Senate president Manny Villar is NP president, while Senator Cynthia Villar is chairperson. NP wants to forge an alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Villar showed a good chance of winning the Senate race as he ranked between 9th and 10th among preferred senatorial bets with a score of 36.2%.

The survey included Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and former senator Bongbong Marcos, who are all gunning for the presidency. – Rappler.com