VICE President Sara Duterte has officially endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar, who is part of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate.
In a newly released campaign video with a caption “Tulad ng matalik na magkaibigan, wala po tayong iwanan pagdating sa serbisyong pampubliko!” Villar was accompanied by Duterte.
Aside from Villar, Duterte is also endorsing the candidacies of Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) senatorial bets, as well as of presidential sister re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos.
Senator Marcos earlier left the administration’s coalition following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father, who chairs the PDP-Laban.
Duterte was arrested amid the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the alleged crime against humanity in the country during the implementation of his drug war.
He was detained at the ICC facility in the Netherlands.
“The #Duter10 senatorial candidates, running under former President Rodrigo R. Duterte's PDP Laban, together with re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos and Representative Camille Villar, are united by a common visio -- a peaceful and prosperous Philippines,” Vice President Duterte said.
“This vision is solid enough to break through the walls of the existing political division in the country,” she added.
The PDP-Laban candidates include Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, actor Philip Salvador, singer Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, former Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator Raul Lambino, lawyer Jesus Hinlo, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, pediatrician and content creator Richard Mata, and Sagip party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta.
In a separate statement, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union First District Representative Paolo Ortega V and Lanao del Sur First District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said the Vice President is endorsing some senatorial candidates to gain support in her upcoming impeachment trial.
“It’s no surprise that our Vice President has changed her stance when it comes to endorsing Senate candidates. We know that the impeachment trial is coming soon, so it’s only natural that she’s looking for allies,” Ortega said.
“It’s clear that endorsements at this point are no longer just about principles or platforms. They’re about alliances, about survival. We understand the context, but consistency also matters, especially when the public is watching,” he added.
Survey
In the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in April, Go remained as the top senatorial bet for the 2025 midterm elections to be held on May 12.
Also included in the top 12 of the senatorial candidates survey were ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, Senator Lito Lapid, former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Pia Cayetano, Dela Rosa, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., journalist and radio broadcaster Ben Tulfo, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Villar, and former senator Manny Pacquiao.
Marcos’ senatorial bets include former Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Cayetano, Lapid, Revilla, Senator Francis Tolentino, Pacquiao, former senator Panfilo Lacson, Sotto, former Social Welfare and Development secretary Erwin Tulfo, Villar, and Binay. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)