Cynthia Villar: Duterte wants someone honest to head DPWH

Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte chose her son, Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar, because the tough-talking leader wanted someone honest.

The senator said that Duterte's marching order to her son was to ensure that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be free of corruption.

“Walang corruption [sa DPWH]. Yun ang bilin niya (Duterte) kay Mark,” the senator said in a phonepatch interview.

The congressman's office told GMA News Online that Duterte offered the DPWH post during their meeting on Monday. He has accepted the offer.

The young Villar was with the senator and former Senate President Manny villar during a meeting in Davao City, where they forged a coalition between the Nacionalista Party and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Ng Bayan.

No conflict of interest

The senator, meanwhile, said she sees no problem with her son heading the DPWH even if their family is engaged in the real estate business.

She said their family’s businesses would not be an issue when her son assumes the post of public works secretary.

“Wala naman. 'Di naman kami nagpapadaan ng properties namin ng mga public roads. 'Di ba parang ayaw nila?” she said when asked about the possibility of a conflict of interest emerging from her son’s possible role in Duterte's Cabinet.

Cynthia said they might only consider having public roads pass through their properties as a last resort.

“So far, we haven’t done it for the last ano… Unless very necessary na wala silang dadaanan kundi kami. Pero 'di naman importante ‘yun. We can build our own roads,” she said.

The senator said there is no reason for the public to worry that her son will use his new position for personal gain.

“DPWH naman ay for the people ‘yan. Wala naman siyang worry doon. For the people naman 'yan. Ang mga kalye naman ay para sa mga tao 'yan,” she said.

Real estate business

The elder Villar is chairman of Vista Land and Lifescapes, a real estate company.

Prior to entering politics, Mark served as president of Crown Asia Corp., a subsidiary of Vista Land.

In 2008, former senator Villar was accused of making a double entry of P200 million funds for the C-5 extension project in the national budget.

He was also accused of exerting his influence on the DPWH so that the road extension project will pass through his real estate properties.

The elder Villar had denied the allegations.

With Mark set to become part of Duterte's Cabinet, Cynthia said they are eyeing holding special elections or having a "caretaker" lawmaker for his district.

"Depende pa pero okay sa amin pareho," she said. —ALG, GMA News