The Department of Justice (DOJ) has endorsed its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding malversation complaints against Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed the development in an ambush interview Tuesday but declined to disclose details of the prosecutors’ recommendation, which was submitted last week.
“Those three cases have been officially endorsed to the Ombudsman,” Martinez said.
“At that point, the Ombudsman will then review the findings of the DOJ prosecutors and then issue its own review resolution, see if it agrees with the findings by our prosecutors, and file the case at the Sandiganbayan if it does find the quantum of evidence necessary,” he added.
Martinez clarified that the DOJ’s role was limited to conducting a preliminary investigation, after which the cases must be forwarded to the Ombudsman for further action.
Villanueva is facing three complaints for malversation, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, corruption of public officials, and breaches of the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The cases stem from alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan involving Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. The senator has previously denied all allegations.