HONG KONG – Senator Manny Villar arrived here Saturday to meet with leaders of a migrant workers’ group and court members of the charismatic group El Shaddai, as well as seek the blessings of its leader, Bro. Mike Velarde, Sunday.

Villar arrived with his wife, Rep. Cynthia Villar, via Cathay Pacific at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Before their meeting which is scheduled this afternoon, Villar and wife attended Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Tsuen Wan District last Friday afternoon.

Afterwards, the Villar couple attended a pre-Valentine’s Day dinner with the Couples for Christ (CFC-Hong Kong) group at Riviera Gardens, also in Tsuen Wan.

Villar will meet with leaders of Migrante International, a prominent militant workers’ group that advocates the rights of overseas-based Filipino workers.

At 3 p.m., Villar will join members of the El Shaddai group in a prayer rally, followed by a quick dinner with the influential Bro. Mike.

Villar was invited by Bro. Mike Velarde, the charismatic leader of the eight-million-strong El Shaddai to attend its Hong Kong chapter’s anniversary. There are nearly 100,000 registered Filipino voters in the former Crown Colony.

But it is still uncertain, however, if Velarde is inclined to support the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer.

Velarde threw his support behind President Arroyo when she joined the presidential race in 2004.

Villar is also set to visit other Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on Chater Road where most Filipina domestic helpers regularly meet during Sundays.

Approximately 100,000 Filipina domestic helpers work in Hong Kong and around 20,000 Filipino professionals are based in the former British Crown Colony.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party vice-presidential aspirant Sen. Mar Roxas and his wife, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, were to leave for Hong Kong Saturday, but failed to show up at their scheduled departure at 2:45 p.m. onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR-306.

PAL pre-departure counter personnel said the couple arranged for an early check-in at 10 a.m. and had someone claim their boarding passes. (With a report from Ronniel de Guzman)