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Villanueva calls enforcement of 2016 dismissal order 'harassment'

Philippines | National

Villanueva calls enforcement of 2016 dismissal order 'harassment'

By Dhel Nazario

Senator Joel Villanueva, on Thursday, Oct. 13, dismissed the implementation of a dismissal order in 2016 by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla against him as "harassment".

Senator Joel Villanueva (Senate PRIB photo)

Senator Joel Villanueva (Senate PRIB photo)

Villanueva showed reporters in a Viber message certifications he obtained from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan, one certifying that he has no ongoing criminal or administrative cases, and another affirming that he is not facing any charges or cases in court.

When asked for a reaction, he said: "Harassment? It's self-explanatory," he said.

"We already anticipated possible harassment plus fake news," he added.

Remulla said he will implement the dismissal order in 2016 against Villanueva, who was then a congressman, for the misuse of the legislator’s P10 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In an interview with ANC, Remulla said that he will send a letter to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III to immediately enforce that 2016 order.

Sotto said that he will wait for the communication and refused to comment on the matter.

To recall, the dismissal order was issued by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in 2016 after Villanueva was found administratively guilty of Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

When asked why Villanueva secured copies of the certifications, he said: "Filing cases din po kasi sa mga fake news spreaders (Also filing cases against those who spread fake news)."

Related Tags

Ombudsman Joel Villanueva PDAF Sandiganbayan

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