Senator Villar formally seeks re-election, files COC

Senator Cynthia Villar filed her certificate of candidacy on Monday morning for her re-election as a senator in the 2019 elections.

Sen. Cynthia Villar files certificate of candidacy for reelection in the Senate for 2019 polls. She was joined by her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, Jr. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/ifKxBZvpql

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) October 15, 2018

LOOK: Supporters of incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar also flock to Comelec office. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/V798EP90tB

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) October 15, 2018

Senator Cynthia Villar will file her COC for senator in the coming 2019 polls. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/bIHlX4eiBq

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) October 15, 2018

“On my second term, I will focus on development work. I want to make our farmers competitive and make their business profitable. ‘Di na sila aasa sa mga cartel, they should be able to sell their crops…these crops will reach the consumers directly, para 'di na papatungan ng malaking singil mga traders,” Villar told reporters.

Villar also disclosed that she will retain her nickname Mrs. Hanapbuhay which she used during her 2013 Senate run.

“It is not a campaign slogan, it is an advocacy. As you have seen in my first time, I was able to institute over 1,000 livelihood programs around the country and be of help to over 1,000 farmers,” Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, added.

Villar’s Senate bid has been endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Mayor Sara’s regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

Villar, a member of Nacionalista Party, earlier said that Mayor Sara’s endorsement is as good as a presidential endorsement.

The senator, wife of former Senate President and ex-House Speaker Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr., finished 10th in the 2013 polls with over 13 million votes. —KG, GMA News