VILLAR: I'M RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

Ending massive speculations and guessing game about his alignment in the upcoming elections, Senate President Manny Villar reveals that he will run as an independent candidate.

Explaining his decision, Villar said, "After much introspection and consultation with the people that matter around me, I have decided to run as an independent candidate in my bid for reelection as a senator. I believe that my running as an independent is best and fair to everyone concerned."

Adds Villar, "I am very much aware that there were many speculations on which group I will join, but for the sake of fairness and independence as well as not to hurt anyone's feelings, I decided to be an independent candidate. In the heated political environment that we are in now, there is room for people with a neutral stance."

"To those who know me really well, my running as an independent candidate will not come as a big surprise. I have always been an independent-minded individual. I may share points of view with others but I always strive to keep my independence," cites Villar.

Villar admitted though that coming to a final decision was an excruciating and tedious process as he had to weigh all the pros and cons. "Also, I am not making a decision for myself alone. I have to do it as the president of the Nacionalista Party and as part of the Wednesday Group. There are a lot of things to be considered."

Villar will run under the banner of the oldest political party in the country, the Nacionalista Party with the slogan 'Ang Bayan Higit Sa Lahat' (The Country Above All Else).

As for the three other members of the Wednesday Group Senators Joker Arroyo, Kiko Pangilinan and Ralph Recto, Villar said each of them will make their own announcements. "We have been together as a group for 15 years more or less, whatever paths we may take individually, our friendship and group will remain," cites Villar.

Villar further cites, "We have proven in the Senate that cooperation is the key. There are 23 personalities who have different opinions most of the time and yet we manage to work together as one. During my term as a Senate President, we passed 109 bills in record time. That is a testimony to the cooperation among all the senators regardless of our political leanings."