Two women from the country's two major political clans are seeking seats in the Senate.
Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay filed their certificates of candidacy for the upper chamber on the fourth day of the filing period at The Manila Hotel Tent City on Friday.
Villar was accompanied by her father former Senate president Manuel Villar and brother Senator Mark Villar.
“As the only millennial candidate, a Filipino youth, I can contribute towards a new politics in our country. My values are rooted in the Filipino principles of sipag (hard work) and tiyaga (perseverance), which I learned from my parents. Combined with my decades of experience in business and two terms in public service, I believe I can offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to help build a brighter future for our generation and those to come,” she said.
Camille pledged to provide housing and education, and empower women and the youth.
“Isusulong ko ang mga bagong pananaw at mga makabagong solusyon na natutunan ko sa aking karanasan sa kabila ng aking kabataan (I will push for new ideas and modern solutions, which I learned from experience at a young age)," she added.
If elected, Camille will be the fourth member of the Villar clan to become a senator. Her mother, Cynthia, is an outgoing senator.
Meanwhile, Abby, the second daughter of former vice president Jejomar Binay, is banking on her experiences as a former congresswoman and mayor in gunning for a Senate seat.
The outgoing Makati mayor promised to push for better social programs, including health and education, and amend outdated provisions in the local government code.
Abby admitted that she previously considered running as mayor of Taguig City.
"Taguig was really an option because a lot of people wanted me to run in Taguig. Pero mahirap kasi dahil hindi ako nakaupo. Makakalaban ko incumbent (It's difficult because I am not the sitting official. My opponent is the incumbent), she has the machinery, employees in the City Hall that will eventually rally for her. Mas mahirap ang laban (The fight is tougher) although I do have the solid support ng (of the) residents of Embo barangays,” she said.
Abby and incumbent Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano previously traded barbs over matters concerning the 10 Embo barangays, which were transferred from Makati City to Taguig City under a Supreme Court ruling in 2022.
Abby's sister, outgoing Senator Nancy Binay, and Abby’s husband incumbent Makati Rep. Luis Campos will face each other for the city's mayoral post in next year's midterm elections. (PNA)
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