Speculation is mounting within the Senate as reports suggest Senators Joel Villanueva and Mark Villar may soon shift their allegiances to the bloc led by Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian.
According to multiple sources, both lawmakers are facing external pressures that could prompt them to follow the lead of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who recently aligned with Gatchalian’s faction.
Insiders claim that Villanueva is under significant pressure from his father, CIBAC Party-list Representative and religious leader Eddie Villanueva, alongside members of the Jesus is Lord Church. Meanwhile, Villar is reportedly navigating challenges tied to Villar Holdings Corporation, including matters allegedly under review by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Furthermore, sources indicate Villar’s name has been raised in connection with scrutinized flood control projects from his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Political observers noted that neither Villanueva nor Villar publicly backed embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano during the peak of the chamber’s recent leadership friction.
The potential defections follow the dramatic events of June 3, when Escudero broke away from Cayetano’s camp to join Gatchalian and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Escudero’s shift allowed the Gatchalian-led faction to secure a 12-member quorum during a plenary session.
With the quorum established, the bloc declared all elective Senate seats vacant and initiated a leadership reorganization—a move that Cayetano and his allies continue to legally challenge.
As of publication, neither Villanueva nor Villar has issued an official statement regarding the speculation.