The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, October 30, released two contrasting rulings in the P10-million pork barrel controversy involving Senator Joel Villanueva nine years ago.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla authorized the publication of the 2019 resolution issued by then-Ombudsman Samuel Martires, which cleared Villanueva of criminal liability over the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
The office also released the 2016 decision of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, which found probable cause to indict him.
Remulla ordered the release to inform the public, fulfilling his commitment to make both rulings accessible.
Martires’ 2019 resolution reversed Carpio-Morales’ earlier finding that had ordered Villanueva’s dismissal from government service and the filing of charges for malversation, falsification, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019).
The case stemmed from Villanueva’s alleged role in a P10-million pork barrel scam when he served as representative of the Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list.
Martires ruled that investigators failed to prove Villanueva’s involvement in the supposed diversion of P9.7 million in public funds.
He found that Villanueva’s signatures on the questioned documents were “forged” and that no evidence linked him or his co-respondents to any scheme to defraud the government.
The resolution stated that none of the P9.7 million went to Villanueva or the other respondents. Martires also directed investigators to conduct a deeper probe with law enforcement support to identify those responsible for the falsified papers.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.