Camille Villar clarifies issue on ‘pro-PH or Pro-China’ viral video

Las PInas City Rep. Camille Villar

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Camille Villar clarified that she is pro-Philippines, noting that she just failed to properly hear the question raised by a vlogger who asked during one of their campaign sorties of she is pro-Philippines or pro-China.

At the press briefing of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in Dumaguete Cit, Negros Oriental on Thursday, Villar was asked about allegations that she refused to answer a question of whether she was pro-Philippines or pro-China.

“Sorry po, alam niyo ngayon ko lang nga po nalaman na may gano’n pala, hindi ko po siya narinig, so hindi ko na nga po maaalala.  Pero sorry do’n sa, I think I was saying thank you doon sa mga nagbibigay ng suporta, hindi ko po narinig ‘yong vlogger, hindi ko po narinig ‘yong tanong niya,” she said.

(I’m sorry, you know I only knew about this issue now, I didn’t hear the question, so I can’t remember what happened.  But I’m sorry, I think I was saying thank you to our supporters. I didn’t hear the vlogger’s question.)

“Pero I think the answer to that question is obvious, of course pro-Philippines, always Philippines first, always Filipinos first, pero sorry, hindi ko po siya narinig,” she added.

(But I think the answer to that question is obvious, of course pro-Philippines, always Philippines first, always Filipinos first, but I’m sorry I wasn’t able to hear the question.)

Videos circulating online showed that Villar was asked if she was pro-Philippines or pro-China. 

She, however, did not give a direct answer, and instead thanked supporters. 

Several pages, like political page Impact Leadership, said that Villar “dodged” the question, and “avoided a direct response when asked about her stance on the Philippines-China issue.”