Villar defends son’s appointment to DPWH post

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Cynthia Villar defended her son, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, from critics following the announcement of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte that he would be appointed secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“No, we are not in the construction business, we are in the housing business. We build houses, we don’t build roads. We are not the contractor for the department of public works. So what’s the conflict of interest there?” she told radio dwIZ over the weekend.

“It’s not our business to do business with public works all our life,” she added.

The senator said election lawyer Romulo Macalintal should know better that her son has not committed any wrongdoing to his constituents in Las Piñas since he will proceed with his oath-taking before resigning to answer the call of Duterte.

Saying that they have a battery of lawyers at their side, Villar said they would not do anything that would violate the law as her son takes the helm of DPWH.

Duterte has to be proclaimed by June 30 before officially appointing members of his Cabinet.