Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva once again defended himself following his inclusion in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommendation to file charges related to alleged flood-control anomalies before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a message sent to reporters on Wednesday, October 29, Villanueva said his legal team will carefully examine the basis for his inclusion in the ICI’s referral and await the Ombudsman’s next move.
“My lawyers will study the basis of my inclusion in the ICI’s referral. We will await the action of the Ombudsman and file our answer,” Villanueva said.
The senator added that Senate records clearly show he has long been critical of flood control projects.
“Nevertheless, records of the Senate will show that I have been against flood control projects from the very beginning,” he stated.
“I was the one who exposed and questioned these flood control projects that have not been implemented. Alcantara also consistently testified that I know nothing about the flood control projects,” he further explained.
Villanueva expressed confidence that the truth will eventually clear his name.
“All these, at the proper time, will prove my innocence,” the senator concluded.
The ICI earlier recommended that the Ombudsman file plunder, bribery, and corruption complaints against Villanueva, Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Also named in the ICI report were former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Caloocan 2nd District Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana.