Filipinos are still facing a "bigger problem" to talk about politics and the 2022 elections, said Senator Joel Villanueva, who instead pushed for 'VP' or "vaccination of the Philippines".
Villanueva described as "unfortunate" the discussions and surveys being released ahead of the next year's elections as he maintained that the country should prioritize addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Siguro natural 'yon kahit na hindi tayo nag-a-agree (Maybe that's natural even we do not agree), because I personally think that we have bigger problem right now," he said when asked an online press conference on Friday, March 12, about reports mentioning his possible bid for the vice presidential race in 2022.
"Itong kinakaharap natin na COVID parang 'di pa rin tayo nagmo-move forward (That with this COVID-19 crisis that we are facing right now, it looks like we are not moving forward)," he lamented.
"Sa atin (For me), I'm really for VP -- Vaccination of the Philippines, para may (so there is) Victory for Pinoys. 'Yon lang ang masasabi ko (That's all I can say). Focus lang muna siguro tayo doon sa virus, sa pag-address sa pandemyang ito (We should focus first on this virus, and addressing this pandemic)," he told reporters.
Villanueva has been calling on the government to fast track its vaccination program so that the country would achieve herd immunity against the novel coronavirus and could can finally reopen its economy.
"Kailangan po talaga bilis-bilisan natin ang pagrollout ng vaccine. Andyan na po lahat ng formula para makabili, maka-procure, makakuha ng supply (We should really expedite the roll out of the vaccine. All the necessary formula to purchase and get supplies are there)," he reiterated. "Kung ganito po ang pacing natin and we want to have herd immunity, aabutin tayo ng 70 years (If we continue with this pace and we want to have herd immunity, it will take us 70 years)." While saying he is "not closing doors", Villanueva reiterated that he is still focused on the "healing of family". His mother, Adoracion Villanueva, and his sister, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva, died last year.
"Aaminin ko na parang hindi pa kami nakamove on kasi parang napaka-weird kasi iba talaga ang grieving ngayon especially with the pandemic (I admit we haven't moved on yet, because grieving at a time of pandemic is different and weird). We didn't even meet with our friends, close friends even our family, mga kamag-anak naming, hindi kami makapag-gather (our relatives, we could not gather)," he said.
"I think 'yon muna ang focus and of course, healing ng bansa natin (I think that is my focus right now, and of course, the healing of our nation)," he added.