Palace denies hand in Mark Villar’s move to majority

SINGAPORE — Malacañang yesterday distanced itself from Sen. Mark Villar’s decision to join the majority bloc even as it dismissed notions that the alliance shift is a step closer to the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The number of senators in the majority bloc increased to 14 after Villar decided to leave the minority led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, which is now down to 10 members.

There are views that the transfer of alliance will boost the chances of Duterte being convicted in her impeachment trial, but Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri claimed that no politics was involved in the development.

However, Cayetano linked Villar’s move to Malacañang, saying it is important for the administration to “maintain a closely allied working majority in the Senate.”

Speaking to reporters here, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the administration cannot impose its will on senators.

Castro added that Cayetano has been blaming the administration for several developments, including his removal from the Senate presidency, the ruckus in the chamber and the escape of minority bloc member Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who continues to evade arrest for alleged crimes against humanity.

“This was not dictated by the administration. Senators have their own minds and decisions. They cannot be dictated upon,” Castro said.

“If they can be dictated upon and they do not have their own minds, the people should not vote for them. We should tell that to Sen. Alan Cayetano because if he thinks like that, did he experience it under former president (Rodrigo) Duterte?” she added.

Asked about the possible implication of Villar’s switch on the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, Castro said there is no assurance that the majority bloc would vote uniformly. 

“We cannot say that. As I said, each senator will decide based on their evaluation, their beliefs, their alliances. Even if many join the majority of the Senate, it does not mean that they would not side with VP Sara Duterte. So it still depends on their decision,” she said.

“Our prayer is, and perhaps this is also the prayer of our countrymen, that they decide based on evidence, not on their alliances. It should be based on evidence because the winner there is not the Senate, not the impeached official, but the people,” she added.

The Marcos administration, nevertheless, is convinced that a bigger majority could help advance the legislative agenda of Marcos. 

“If more people believe in the programs of the President, it would be better for the country and our people,” Castro said.