Explain Villarroyo-Ampatuan Alliance – LP

Nacionalista presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar should explain his alliance with the Ampatuan family of Maguindanao, accused of masterminding the massacre of 57 innocent civilians.

LP Director General Chito Gascon said it is about time that Villar speak up about his reported meeting with former ARMM Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan a day before the repulsive killing took place.

Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu had alleged that Villar even slept in the Ampatuans’ mansion on the eve of the Maguindanao massacre.

Gascon insisted Villar should break his silence and explain to the people why he had aligned himself and the Nacionalista Party with the Ampatuans, who are known supporters of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Hanggang ngayon ay walang ginagawa si Villar kundi manahimik sa gitna ng mga pinakamalalaking kontrobersiya na magpapatunay kung anong klaseng pulitiko at lider siya sa mga botante (He has done nothing but remain quiet. This controversy has shown the voters what kind of politician and leader Villar is),” he said.

He added the Villar-Ampatuan alliance proves the “grand” coalition between VILLARROYO – Villar and President Arroyo, a partnership formed to steal the victory from reform advocates Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Mar Roxas, the standard bearers of the Liberal Party.

Reports indicated President Arroyo’s husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, met with Villar in the house former Cabinet member Mike Defensor, to seal an agreement to make President Arroyo the new Speaker of the House of Representatives under a Villar presidency.