Las Piñas City Lone District Representative Mark Anthony Santos called on Senator Mark Villar to withdraw from the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee on the proposed ₱6.793 trillion 2026 national budget.
“This is a step to ensure that our legislative proceedings remain credible and free from any perceived conflict of interest. Public trust in the Senate and its bicameral conference must be maintained,” Santos said.
Santos emphasized that the move would uphold transparency and impartiality, noting Villar’s alleged links to anomalous flood control projects.
Voluntarily stepping down, he said, would demonstrate “ethical responsibility” and the tradition of delicadeza in public service.
Senator Camille Villar, Mark Villar’s sister, is also part of the Senate team negotiating the budget.
Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo previously testified that Villar allegedly received kickbacks from irregular infrastructure projects through his cousin, former Las Piñas councilor Carlo Aguilar.
Aguilar reportedly left the country days after the testimony, traveling from NAIA to Tokyo and then the United States on November 19.