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MANILA: Filipinos are still facing a “bigger problem” to talk about politics and the 2022 elections, said Senator Joel Villanueva (pic), who instead pushed for ‘VP’ or “vaccination of the Philippines”.

Villanueva described as “unfortunate” the discussions and surveys being released ahead of the next year’s elections as he maintained that the country should prioritise addressing the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Maybe that’s natural even we do not agree, because I personally think that we have bigger problem right now,” he said when asked an online press conference  about reports mentioning his possible bid for the vice presidential race in 2022.

“That with this Covid-19 crisis that we are facing right now, it looks like we are not moving forward,” he lamented.

“For me, I’m really for VP — Vaccination of the Philippines, so there is Victory for Pinoys. ‘That’s all I can say. We should focus first on this virus, and addressing this pandemic,” he told reporters.

Villanueva has been calling on the government to fast track its vaccination programme so that the country would achieve herd immunity against the novel coronavirus and could can finally reopen its economy.

“We should really expedite the roll out of the vaccine. All the necessary formula to purchase and get supplies are there,” he reiterated. “If we continue with this pace and we want to have herd immunity, it will take us 70 years.” While saying he is “not closing doors”, Villanueva reiterated that he is still focused on the “healing of [his] family”. His mother, Adoracion Villanueva, and his sister, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva, died last year.

“I admit we haven’t moved on yet, because grieving at a time of pandemic is different and weird. We didn’t even meet with our friends, close friends even our family,” he said.

“I think that is my focus right now, and of course, the healing of our nation,” he added.