Villar in Davao City but no-show in forums

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Manuel “Manny” Villar was in Davao City on Tuesday for the forum organized by Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, but failed to show up in the presidential debate.

Sources of Sun.Star Davao said the senator landed in Davao City shortly before noon Tuesday and had no other engagements for the day aside from the presidential forum hosted by Pastor Quiboloy. It was also learned that the senator stayed only inside his hotel suite while waiting for the time that he was expected at the studio complex of the religious group.

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According to a staff of the senator, the planned sorties in Samar and Leyte, which were supposed to take place Tuesday until Thursday, was even moved to next week in order to accommodate the presidential forum organized by Quiboloy.

The staff of Villar and some members of the Senate press were even present at the presidential forum, anticipating the arrival of the senator. Also present were the supporters of Villar, clad in his trademark orange color, but left the venue of the forum some thirty minutes upon ‘confirming’ that their candidate will not show up.

However, the allegation was denied by Villar’s camp.

Another source of Sun.Star Davao said the real reason for Villar’s non appearance despite his being in the city was because members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which also staged their own presidential forum early that day, were irked to find that the senator confirmed his attendance at the forum hosted by Quiboloy but snubbed theirs.

“Not that he (Villar) did not want to go to the (IBP) forum, we just could not squeeze it into the schedule,” the source said, who requested anonymity.

Villar has reportedly explained his dilemma to Pastor Quiboloy, the source added.

Early Wednesday morning, the team of Senator Villar pushed for the towns of Cabacan and Kidapawan in North Cotabato for their sortie in the area. The group headed to General Santos City and is expected to fly back to Manila Thursday morning from the Tuna Capital. (Carlo P. Mallo)