Image: Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar and Vice President Sara Duterte. Screen grabbed from political ad

MANILA, Philippines – After Sen. Imee Marcos, administration bet, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar secures the backing of Vice President Sara Duterte for her senatorial bid. 

“Sa magkakaibigan, walang iwanan,” Villar said in her ad.  

This was the theme of the Duterte-endorsement political ad of Villar highlighting her friendship with the vice president. 

In a statement released by the Office of the Vice President Monday, the younger Duterte said the ten candidates of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) -Laban together with Marcos and Villar are “united by a common vision.” 

Duterte’s endorsement of Villar however does not mean another break-up for Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas as the coalition remains intact as assured by its campaign manager, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. 

He also said that “in any election every bit of support counts.”

Last week, photos of Villar with Duterte circulated on social media fueling rumors that she has secured the endorsement of the vice president. 

This came simultaneously with the photos of Duterte with Marcos who earlier announced the vice president’s backing of her reelection. 

However PDP-Laban official bet lawyer Raul Lambino clarified that Duterte’s endorsement of Marcos and Villar does not necessarily make any one of them part of the party since adoptions are officially recognized through a resolution.

In a forum on Monday, Lambino explained that the Duterte team only had six original senatorial candidates namely Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, Atty. Jayvee Hinlo, Philip Salvador and himself. 

Three additional candidates were then adopted namely Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, SAGIP party list Rep. Dante Marcoleta and former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. 

Vlogger Dr. Richard Mata on March 9 was announced as the tenth official candidate of the party.