The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that it is investigating Senator Mark Villar over his possible links to a contractor awarded projects in Las Piñas.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the department is looking into the senator’s potential involvement.
“That’s a prohibited interest,” Remulla said.
The DOJ initiated the probe after receiving information that Villar is allegedly connected to a contractor flagged for a possible conflict of interest. According to reports, the contractor is said to be the senator’s cousin and was awarded ₱18.5 billion worth of projects in Las Piñas.
“With his cousin being the contractor in Las Piñas. P18.5 billion worth of projects,” Remulla noted.
The justice chief, however, emphasized that the information still needs verification and evaluation, stressing that it did not come directly from the department and therefore cannot yet be treated as evidence.
Remulla added that the investigation is not limited to Senator Mark Villar but also includes other members of the Villar family, namely Senator Camille Villar and their mother, former Senator Cynthia Villar.
“Isang relationship lang ‘yan. Isang family lang yan. First degree of consanguinity up to the fourth degree of consanguinity,” he said.
The projects under scrutiny reportedly include not only flood control works but also various other infrastructure developments.
Remulla said Senator Villar will be invited by the DOJ to open a line of communication regarding the matter.
It may be recalled that Villar served as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2016 to 2021 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.