Sara Duterte says Sen. Villar is Hugpong's top bet

MEYCAUAYAN, Bulacan — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday said Senator Cynthia Villar is Hugpong ng Pagbabago's top bet for the Senate race in May.

The daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte made the pronouncement here after introducing Senator Villar, who she said is known for "sipag at tiyaga" (hardwork and perseverance).

"Ang ating number 1 na pambato sa Senado, Si Senator Cynthia Villar," Mayor Sara said in introducing the senator to the audience.

In an interview, Mayor Duterte said Villar, elected in the Senate in 2013, noted the senator's track record and ratings in pre-election surveys.

"Nakita na namin siyang nag-number one sa survey…meron siyang potential that she will end up number on May 2019. [And you can see] her track record, nakita niyo naman gaano siya kasipag maghanap ng areas kung saan puedeng maglagay ng livelihood projects, farm schools," she said.

"May tinututukan siya, food and agriculture," Mayor Duterte added.

Villar, wife of former Senate President Manny Villar, has placed second in Pulse Asia's recent survey of Filipino voters' preferences in the upcoming senatorial elections, next to Senator Grace Poe.

The richest Senator as of May 2018 with P3.6 billion net worth based on her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, Villar is also the mother of Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

One of HNP's bets and former journalist Jiggy Manicad was the one who first revealed that Villar is their top candidate.

"Hindi po ako nangangarap na maging number one dahil ang number 1 na pambato ng Hugpong ay si Senator Cynthia Villar," he said. "Ang hinihiling ko lang po, huwag niyo akong kalimutan."

Of the 13 candidates HNP is fielding, there were not present during their stop here: Maguindanao Representative Dong Mangudadatu, who was represented by his wife Geraldine; Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano; and Senator Koko Pimentel.

Villar, wife of former Senate President Manny Villar, is a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party, one of the first national political parties to sign a coalition agreement with HNP in August 2018, six months before the campaign period. —KBK, GMA News