‘We will be there’: Villanueva to attend Marcos-called special session amid Senate feud

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MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva committed to attending a possible special session of Congress, saying lawmakers should focus on addressing urgent national concerns instead of taking sides in the ongoing Senate leadership dispute.

“Sa pagkakataon po na magkaroon ng special session tutuparin po natin ang ating sagradong tungkulin sa ilalim ng ating Saligang batas. We will be there,” Villanueva said in a video message during a Jesus Is Lord Church worship service on Sunday, June 14.

(In the event that a special session is called, we will fulfill our sacred duty under our Constitution. We will be there.)

The senator made the statement as speculation continues over whether he would join the bloc led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, a move that could help resolve the leadership impasse in the Senate.

Villanueva, however, downplayed talk of political alignments, saying the public is more concerned about whether senators are doing their jobs.

“My fellow workers in the Lord's vineyard, this is not a time for partisanship. When we have a fellow citizen in need, it is our duty to respond and serve," Villanueva said. 

"Then and until now, it is clear to us. It is very clear to us the reason why we are here as public servants. It is clear to us why God brought us to this position,” he added.

Villanueva said the leadership conflict has taken a toll on the institution and even affected Senate employees caught in the middle of the dispute.

“It is our duty to protect our institution and prioritize the welfare of our fellow citizens. Above all, we will continue to stand for God and for the people,” the senator said.

The Senate adjourned on June 6 without settling the leadership row that stemmed from a series of dramatic developments in the chamber.

The conflict began after Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was replaced as Senate president by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on May 11. It deepened on June 3 when senators adopted a motion declaring all Senate leadership positions vacant following an alleged boycott by the Cayetano bloc.

Sen. Francis Escudero later provided the quorum needed for the session to proceed, leading to the election of Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore.

Gatchalian's group is currently believed to have 12 members, one short of the 13 votes needed to firmly establish a new majority and replace Cayetano, who maintains that he remains Senate president.

Malacañang has said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is inclined to call a special session to allow Congress to tackle pending measures during the legislative break.

Should such a session be convened, Villanueva said he would seek funding for relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts in communities devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

He also vowed to push for the approval of bills already on third and final reading and act on pending confirmations, particularly those involving military officers whose promotions were delayed by the Senate standoff.

“From then until now, it has been very clear to us why we are here as public servants. It is clear to us why God has placed us in this position. It is our duty to protect our institution and prioritize the welfare of our fellow citizens,” the senator said.

Villanueva is also facing an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in corruption linked to flood control projects in Bulacan, his home province. The senator has denied wrongdoing.