After he landed in the top three choices of the country’s provincial governors' league for senator, reelectionist Senator Joel Villanueva called the “powerful endorsement” a recognition of his work to create and promote jobs alongside fighting for the interest of local governments.
Villanueva said the support from the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), which bands together the country’s 81 provincial chief executives, “is also a commitment to work harder for those who are in the frontlines of public service".
LPP President and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco said the governors agreed on Dec. 3, 2021 to conduct a survey among its members on who to support in the Senate race and come up with a common list of candidates for the Senate.
The LLP’s choice of six senatorial candidates are: Sorsogon Governor Francis ‘’Chiz’’ Escudero; Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Villanueva and Juan Miguel ‘’Migz’’ Zubiri; former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar; and Antique Representative Loren Legarda.
Velasco’s letter to LPP officials and members stated that ‘’As LPP national leader, I urge you to consider supporting our League’s ‘common’ candidates for the Senate based on our survey.’’