Sen. Joel Villanueva Eyes Reelection in 2022

Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday he was undecided between seeking reelection or a local position.

The 45-year-old first term senator said he was not bothered by a June Pulse Asia poll wherein he ranked 18th to 29th among possible senatorial candidates, outside the winners' circle of 12.

Villanueva said he polled 42nd one year before he won in 2016, placing second to veteran Sen. Franklin Drilon.

"We don't want to close doors. Ang filing naman [for candidacy] sa October pa but 'yun 'yung napag-usapan ngayon, to run for reelection," he said in an ANC interview.

"The important factor I think is you work harder and find out your weaknesses and shortcomings in this particular survey. I'm not against surveys... for me, I've been there."

He said his party Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) was open to coalesce with other political parties, including the Liberal Party. Senator Francis Panglinan earlier said there were efforts to reach out to several incumbent senators and other potential candidates for "the broadest unity possible" in 2022.

Villanueva said he was "more than willing" to talk to with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who topped the recent Pulse Asia survey for presidential preference with her father as top choice for vice president.

"Open po tayo sa lahat as long as our principles and our advocacies are aligned with each other," he said.