Press Release - Transcript of Interview of Senator Joel Villanueva

Q: Kumusta po kayo?

Senator Joel Villanueva (SJV): We've been in politics for quite a long time I can honestly admit na Seasoned politician na po tayo and in fact getting ready for retirement. So these are usual naman itong mga nangyayari na to and walang dapat emosyon pero also human beings dahil may mga malalapit tayong kaibigan, may mga kaibigan tayo na talagang grabe yung alaga natin more than the others. Medyo surprising pa rin. Siguro talagang hindi ka masasanay kahit anong experiences mo na but it is what it is.

Q: Sir, did you know na Senator Bato signed the reso?

SJV: I was surprised. I was surprised. Really, really surprised. I think that's the biggest surprise kasi parang dinner na kami kahapon nung nalaman namin eh.

Q: Paano nyo nalaman sir?

SJV: When Sen. Bong Go's talking about it. So he was, you know, friendly talks inside the lounge paalis na kami and then he said tatlo silang nag sign. So parang nagulat kami na parang hindi ah, hindi nag-sign eh. Tapos actually baka nga hindi pa rin totoo so talagang kinonfirm pa namin but it would not matter anyway. Klaro sa amin na our service in the leadership is based on the trust and confidence of our colleagues. So if you don't have the numbers, it's automatic dapat.

Q: Sir, did you talk to senator Bato?

SJV: No, not yet. I saw him kanina pero we didn't get the chance to talk. Sir,

Q: Nag-decide na ba kayo kung lilipat kayo sa minority?

SJV: Well, still, you know, we're still studying. We're studying all possibilities. Ang daming options available for us. Especially for me. On my end, I could only speak for myself of course na pwede eh, pwede akong mag-minority. Pinag-usapan din namin ni Sen. Koko yan. If others will join me, what's gonna happen and also I think we have enough time to decide on it. Mag-aano na rin lang, magbe-break na rin lang ng 2 days. So yeah, we have enough time.

Q: Sir, klaruhin ko lang, minority leader ba ang pinag-usapan Sir?

SJV: Everything is a possibility.

Q: So it's possible na pwede kayong maging minority leader?

SJV: It's been, ano, talk about. So hindi na bago para hindi man galing sa akin. But everything is possible. There are some committees being offered to me as well by