Speech of Senator-elect Camille Villar during Proclamation at Manila Hotel (Transcript)

I stand here incredibly honored and humbled by this opportunity.

I am grateful to God that we had a peaceful elections with a very good results. And today, with all humility, tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad at karangalan na ito. And I promise that I will work twice as hard, and I will stand twice as firm and serve with all my heart. And exhibit leadership because leadership is about showing up, standing up when it is easier to play it safe and speaking out when it is more convenient to stay silent.

I am overwhelmed by this moment because this journey hasn’t been easy. And my heart is simply filled with love and gratitude.

Again, I would like to thank God, and everyone who supported and was part of my campaign, to everyone who put me through this, to may fellow candidates and my fellow senators, you are all an inspiration to me. Thank you for encouraging me.

Sa lahat po ng nagvolunteer at kasama ko nung kampanya, maraming maraming salamat.

And to my family, to my husband, Erwin, and my kids, Tristan and Cara, thank you for being with me through the high and lows. To my brothers, Paolo and Mark, thank you for guiding me and bringing me home. And above all, to my parents, to my mom, Senator Cynthia, and to my dad, Senator Manny Villar…Papa, I remember when I was younger that it was my dream to be like you and to serve and to help as many people that I could. Thank you for helping me achieve my dreams and making my dreams come true.

At higit sa lahat, sa lahat po nang ating mga kababayan na tumulong po sa akin at nagbigay ng tiwala at suporta, maraming maraming salamat. Iingatan ko po ang inyong tiwala at suporta at makakaasa po kayo na magtratrabaho po ako para yung mga pangarap natin para sa mga sarili natin, sa ating mga mahal sa buhay ating mga pamilya at para sa ating bansa at makakamit natin ng sama sama. Muli, mabuhay po kayong lahat at mabuhay ang Pilipinas.