MANILA, Philippines – Kinondena ng grupong kabataan na Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) ang paglipat ni Sen. Mark Villar sa mayorya ng Senado na tinawag itong “blatant and shameful display of turncoatism to evade accountability” habang umiinit ang impeachment case laban kay VP Sara Duterte.
“Mark Villar has no other purpose for changing political colors but to save himself and his family’s corporate interests,” pahayag ng SPARK.
Binanggit ng grupo na si Villar ay nagsilbi bilang kalihim ng Department of Public Works and Highways o DPWH mula 2016 hanggang 2021, pero hindi siya iniimbestigahan.
“Ironically, ginawa pa siyang Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works. His changing of political colors should not be a suit of armor against public accountability,” dagdag nila.
“This unabashed exhibition of Villar is the very reason why the people most especially the youth will frequent the streets and will only fuel our militance because this sort of lack of principles is what will drown the people in corruption and elite rule,” giit pa ng grupo.
Itinuro rin ng SPARK na galing sa political dynasty si Sen. Mark Villar. Naging senador na rin noon ang kanyang ama at ina, at kasalukuyang senador din ang kanyang kapatid na si Camille Villar.
“Political dynasties don’t care about anything else other than themselves, their profit, and their familial and class interests. We should be wary when they claim otherwise,” sabi ng SPARK.
“Mark Villar stands where it is only favorable for him,” dagdag nila.
Iginiit din ng grupo na sa paglipat ni Villar sa Senate Majority bloc, binibigyan nito ng isa pang pagkakataon ang Ombudsman para magsampa ng corruption charges laban sa mga dating nasa minorya na lumipat ng panig. Kabilang dito sina Sen. Chiz Escudero at Sen. Joel Villanueva.
“The Ombudsman is again blessed with an opportunity to prove his impartiality and the independence of his office. Remulla must not waste this chance and obstruct the demand of the people for accountability from elected officials. This may be his last,” babala ng SPARK. Ernie Reyes
