A lawmaker asserted that the Villars were unquestionably responsible for the delays in the completion of the Light Rail Transit-Line 1 Cavite Extension project, denying claims of the family that the obstructions were due to right-of-way (ROW) concerns.

In a statement, Las Pinas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos claimed that the companies of the Villars, namely Fine Properties Inc. and Villar Land Holdings, were directly involved in the discussions into the proposed Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (ROWUA) that remains unsigned.

Santos mentioned that representatives of the family, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had conducted numerous official meetings between September 2021 to June 2025 related to the ROWUA.

The lawmaker pointed to the stalled negotiations as the key reason why the project was pushed back to 2031.

“Imagine, a single family can delay–or even derail–a project that would benefit millions of ordinary Filipinos and taxpayers,” he said.

“We have documentary evidence or receipts showing that this government project has been repeatedly delayed,” he added.

The notion that the Villars had delayed the multibillion peso project was first floated by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla during a radio interview.

Remulla had mentioned that they were in the process of investigating rumors that Senator Mark Villar and Senator Camille Villar were opposing the initial alignment of the railway, noting that the railway should have already reached Cavite.

“There’s an alignment in Sucat, Paranaque where the project stopped because they allegedly want it along C-5, where they have properties,” said the Ombudsman.

Hearing the accusation, Camille expressed her vehement denial, stating that she had never “intervened, influenced, or obstructed” the railway project.

“I have not had any participation in any discussion, deliberation, or meeting relating to the LRT-1 extension project, either in my personal capacity or as a Senator,” the senator said.

Meanwhile, Mark used his track record to attest his innocence.