Villar’s transfer sees no connection to Sara’s conviction, acquittal

SINGAPORE—Malacañang on Friday said Senator Mark Villar’s transfer to the Senate majority bloc would not necessarily influence how senators vote on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Villar joined the majority bloc on Thursday, bringing its membership to 14 and securing his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier dismissed the notion that Villar’s transfer would affect the number of votes needed to convict Duterte, which stands at 14 under the Senate impeachment court’s rules.

“Hindi natin masasabi iyan. Katulad ng aking sinabi, ang bawat senador ay magdedesisyon nang naaayon sa kanilang evaluation, sa kanilang paniniwala, sa kanilang pakikipagkampihan,” Palace press officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

Castro said joining the majority bloc did not necessarily mean a senator would side with Duterte.

“So, kahit marami ang sumama sa majority dito sa Senado, hindi nangangahulugan na hindi sila kakampi kay VP Sara Duterte. So, depende pa rin po iyan sa kanilang magiging desisyon,” she said.

Castro said Malacañang hoped the senator-judges would base their decisions on the evidence presented against the Vice President rather than political alliances.

“Ang dasal lang natin, at marahil ito rin ang dasal ng lahat ng ating mga kababayan, mag-decide lang sila base sa ebidensya, hindi base sa kaalyado nila o sa pagiging kakampi nila. So, dapat base lang sa ebidensya dahil ang magwawagi dito ay hindi ang Senado, hindi iyong impeached official, kundi ang taumbayan,” Castro said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who leads the Senate minority, said he respected Villar’s decision but would remain with the minority bloc.

Senator Robinhood Padilla, meanwhile, said he was not surprised by the move, noting that Villar had previously been part of the majority.

Political analyst Julio Teehankee, however, said Villar’s transfer was intended to protect the family’s extensive business interests, particularly in infrastructure and agriculture, as the family faces legal issues and complaints.