Joel Villanueva: Prayers, fasting, PNoy's advice helped me decide vs running for senator

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - Joel Villanueva will no longer run for senator in next year's elections, the secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced on Monday, September 24. 

At a press conference in his TESDA office in Taguig City, Villanueva told reporters that he had decided to "serve the country as a Cabinet member" of the Aquino administration. 

He said that months of praying and fasting as well as communicating with the public had helped him decide on his next political move. He said President Benigno Aquino III also personally asked him to devote his time in TESDA to ensure reforms.   

"Matapos ang buwang paglluhod sa pananalangin, pag-aayuno, at maging pakikipag-ugnayan ko sa aking kababayan, buong pagpapkumbabang nagdesisyon po ako na manatili sa Gabinete ni PangulongAquino at ituloy ang pagsisilbi sa bayan," the TESDA chief said. 

Villanueva further clarified that the surveys had nothing to do with his decision. 

"Bagama't mahalagang sukatan ang survey, hindit ito ang natatanging basehan sa pagtakbo sa isang pwesto [Though surveys are a good yardstick, these are not the sole basis on deciding whether to run in the elections]," said Villanueva. 

He said that even if he would be included among the top choice for senators, this would not affect his decision not to run in the 2013 elections. 

"Kahit po pumasok tayo sa Top 12 Survey, hindi po ito makakaapekto sa ating naging desisyon ngayon...Kung saan tayo mas magiging epektibo at mas mapapakinabangan ng taumbayan,doon pa rin po tayo pupunta at maglilingkod," said Villanueva. 

[Even if I would be included in the Top 12 survey, this would not affect my decision now. I will still be in the area where I will be effective and useful to the public.] 

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