Villar son not running for senator in 2016

MANILA, Philippines – After testing the water through political advertisements and surveys, Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar – son of Senator Cynthia Villar and former Senate President Manny Villar – decided not to seek a Senate seat in 2016.

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, the congressman said: “After consultation with my constituents, supporters and family, we’ve come to the conclusion that there is still much to be done in Las Piñas and in the House of Representatives. I am running for re-election as representative of the Lone District of Las Piñas in May 2016.”

Still, the young Villar said, “We’re sincerely grateful on the outpouring of support from the Filipino people who think that I could better serve them as senator as shown by the surveys. While I have not formally declared a Senate bid, I remain flattered by the encouraging polling numbers.”

The latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted nationwide in early September, showed that Mark Villar would be within the winning circle if elections were held at the time of the survey. He was one of 4 newbies who were preferrred by respondents.

A senatorial victory in 2016 would have made Mark share the chamber with his mother, who has 3 more years left in her term.

Villar had aired his political ad that had a pro-poor message similar to the 2010 presidential campaign of his father, former Senate President Manuel Villar. It was titled “Ang pagtulong sa mahirap, Markang Villar!”

When Senator Cynthia Villar was asked in August if the the ad meant Mark would seek a Senate seat, she said: “Not sure. We’re just doing a commercial for him, in case, but nothing definite.”

In his statement Thursday, Mark Villar said he is “at peace with this decision” to seek re-election as congressman, and is “happy that I have my family’s support.”