Marcos skips mentioning Villar during Batangas sortie

During a Batangas sortie on Saturday, May 3, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not mention Deputy House Speaker Camille Villar in his usual speech endorsing candidates.

Marcos typically highlights the political experience of his endorsed candidates but omitted mentioning Villar despite her presence in campaign materials.

Villar has missed several recent Alyansa sorties following an endorsement from Vice President Sara Duterte and criticism over her company PrimeWater.

The omission raises questions about a possible exit by Villar or the Nacionalista Party from the coalition, reminiscent of when Marcos skipped his sister Senator Imee Marcos during a Cavite sortie.

Campaign manager Toby Tiangco has repeatedly denied rumors of Villar's potential departure from Alyansa, insisting she remains part of the coalition.

With at least three more sorties planned before the end of the campaign period, attention will be on whether Villar participates and how Alyansa handles any further absences or snubs.