Bro. Eddie Villanueva: We are not a dynasty, we have an advocacy

Evangelist Eddie Villanueva, an incoming member of the House of Representatives, said his family should not be regarded as a political dynasty even if two other members are holding elective posts.

“Political dynasty is not applicable to our family. Ang mga ninuno namin ay hindi pulitiko. Ang magulang namin ay hindi pulitiko. Hindi namin kontrolado ang political and economic power, as well as electoral system,” Villanueva told reporters at the sidelines of the proclamation ceremony Wednesday.

“Kami, andito kami because of our advocacy,” Villanueva added.

Villanueva, founder of the Jesus is Lord Movement, is the first nominee of the party-list group Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC), which emerged in the top 10 among the 51 party-list groups proclaimed by the Comelec.  CIBAC will get two House seats.

Bro. Eddie is the father of Senator Joel Villanueva and Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva.

Villanueva, who ran for president in 2004 and in 2010, said that the political dynasty tag should not be used loosely just because a number of elected officials are related by blood.

“Halimbawa, isang pamilya kayo, pinalaki ka ng magulang mo na may pagmamahal sa bayan. Kung lima kayong magkakapatid at nauna ang isang maglingkod sa bayan, wala na ba dapat karapatan ‘yung ibang apat na maglingkod?” Villanueva said. —LDF, GMA News