Villanueva says some members of 'Solid 7' inclined to join minority

MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva said a majority of their so-called "Solid 7" group of allies of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri are inclined to join the Senate minority bloc that currently only has Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimenel III and his Deputy, Senator Risa Hontiveros.

"Right now 3-4 sa 7 sa amin ay more than willing to be part of the minority if that is the case na kailangan naming gawin para mas maging epektibo kami in helping our institution, " Villanueva said. "3-4 I can say  for example Sen. JV already mentioned, Sen. Binay already made a statement also, andiyan si dating SP Migz andiyan si Sen. Sonny Angara yan po lahat open to that idea to be part of the minority we have spoken to Sen. Koko Pimentel and very much welcome daw kami." (3 to 4 of the 7 are more than willing if that is what is needed for us to help the institution. Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Migz Zubiri, Sen. Sony Angara. Minority Leader Sen. Koko Pimentel already said we are welcome.)

Villanueva said they have the betterment of their service at the heart of their eventual decision and that they will spend the sine die adjournment to figure out the best way they can be of service to the nation.

Villanueva admits he's still in pain from what the leadership change and that is why he has chosen to remain silent. Villanueva called his colleagues who have apologized for the change but gave reasons that have not helped calm tensions.

"Hindi naman natin maitatago yung ating emosyon at kaya kung mapapansin niyo di naman tayo masyadong nagsasalita dahil gusto natin masiguro na lahat ng ating sasabihin ay hindi dahil sa taas ng emosyon natin o doon sa nararamdaman natin especially after giving our best eh talagang masakit pa rin masakit pa rin dahil we walked the extra mile  and we were burning literally midnight oils in working very hard," Villanueva said.

"Yet ganoon pa rin yung nangyari. Malungkot lang minsan kasi may maririnig ka pa yung nagsorry nagdadahilan, yung nagsosorry nagsasabi ng kung ano ano yun lang ang di natin minsan maiwasan na okay na pero ano ba yan talaga sana let us move forward and it is what it is we are all seasoned politicians we know the name of the game " (We can't hide our emotions, that's why I've been silent because we want to make sure what we say is not because of emotions. It's still painful because we did our best. It's just sad that some apologized but they gave unacceptable reasons.)

"Ang pinupunto ko lang is when you say sorry and you say you are commending the efforts and everything that we have done in the past 2 years tapos at the same time sasabihin mo maraming gulo maraming reklamo pero walang magsasalita kung ano tungkol doon hindi maganda, hindi maganda," Villanueva added. "Lalo na yung sabihin na paa yung dahilan kung bakit nawala kaming lahat sa leadership insulto yun sa institusyon insulto rin yun sa taongbayan."

(When you apologize then commend our efforts then you say there are issues but nobody speaks up about the details, that's not good. Citing the refusal to allow Senator  Bong Revilla to attend sessions virtually while recuperating from foot surgery as a reason for the ouster is insulting)

Villanueva also rejected allegations that there may be dissatisfaction with their leadership.

"Sinabing di daw satisfied so we respect that but you cannot take it away from us na masakit po because we were walking the extra mile," Villanueva said "Parang wala na kong ibubuga na kaya ko pang gawin or better na gagawin ko during my stint as majority leader  and so because of that I am entertaining the idea maybe I'd be better as part of the minority or probably with the opposition in the Senate kasi kagaya ng sabi ko 2-3 sa amin willing naman na gawin yun but again I don't want na pangunahan po sila."

(They say they weren't satisfied. That's painful because we went the extra mile. What more can I do as a majority leader?  That's why I'm considering joining the minority. Some of us are so inclined.)

Villanueva said there were external forces responsible for Zubiri's replacement.

"Hindi rin nangangapa o hindi rin chismis yung sinabi ni dating Senate President  Migs Zubiri na may powers that be dahil may 2 na ngang senador na nagsabi sa grupo namin na tumawag sa kanila napakadaling icheck." Villanueva said. (What Senator Zubiri said about the powers that be is not a rumor. 2 senators told us they got calls.)

Villanueva said they are open to a dialogue with Senate President Francis Escudero as they mull their options.

"Imagine if there are more fiscalizers if there are more checkers to ensure that every bill, every measure that we are tackling and passing in the Senate would really help the best interest of our people," he said.

ABS-CBN News is still waiting for comments from the Senate Minority bloc.