Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Monday, April 14, accused Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Camille Villar of signaling her willingness to help acquit Vice President Sara Duterte in a potential impeachment trial in exchange for the latter’s endorsement.
In a scathing Facebook statement, Bayan President Renato Reyes Jr. warned that Camille’s pursuit of Duterte’s support proves she cannot be trusted to uphold accountability should she become a senator-judge in the 20th Congress.
“A senatorial candidate who seeks the endorsement of an impeached vice president cannot be expected to uphold truth and accountability in an impeachment trial,” Reyes said. “Camille Villar just told the nation she will acquit VP Sara Duterte in exchange for the latter’s endorsement.”
The remarks came after photos circulated online over the weekend showing Duterte, Camille, and his father – former Senate President Manny Villar – posing together in what appears to be a campaign endorsement shoot.
Camille is part of the Marcos administration’s senatorial slate called Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Reyes condemned the move as emblematic of the “totally unprincipled, opportunistic, and rotten” state of Philippine politics, urging voters to reject such transactional alliances.
“This is how brazen political opportunism has become,” Reyes said. “Instead of demanding accountability from officials facing serious allegations, candidates are now openly trading their votes for endorsements. The public must not tolerate this betrayal of public trust.” (TCSP)
