Senator Joel Villanueva confirmed on Thursday, July 15, that he is considering running for reelection next year.
"Yes, I would llike to confirm that I would be running in the 2022 elections," Villanueva said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
"'Yan ang plano but we don't want to close doors , and ang filing naman sa October pa (and the filing of certificates of candidacy is on October anyway)," he responded when asked if he would be running for senator.
Villanueva said he has been consulting with his party-list group, the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBA) and religious organizations for his possible Senate bid.
He said his recent meeting with members of his church, the Jesus is Lord founded by his father, CIBAC Party-list representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva, "made the difference" in his considerations whether or not to run for the elections.
But some sectors were also urging him to run for governor in his bailiwick Bulacan province, the senator said.
Saying "everything is possible," Villanueva also disclosed that he and group "are open to coalitions, we are open to coalesce with bigger political parties."
He said he has been it talks with possible presidential candidates, such as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, as well as Vice President Leni Robredo.
Asked about Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), he said: "If you ask me if I'm willing to sit down with Mayor Inday (Sara Duterte), I'm more than willing to sit down with Mayor Inday."
"Again, open tayo sa lahat (we are open to all) as long our principles and advocacies are aligned with each other," Villanueva said.
"At the end of the day, what's important is to look at the strategy and action plan of these coalition groups, bigger political parties as to how they are going to address this very, very serious problem, this COVID-19 pandemic. We need to see a clear plan to lift our people from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.
As for the latest elections surveys, Villanueva said "it's way too early", recalling that he also lagged behind surveys before the 2016 national elections.
Villanueva, former CIBAC representative and director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), placed second in the 2016 senatorial race with over 18.4 million votes.