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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Flood-control complaint vs Villanueva now under preliminary investigation—Ombudsman Remulla

Flood-control complaint vs Villanueva now under preliminary investigation—Ombudsman Remulla

Published Jun 29, 2026 05:53 pm

At A Glance

  • On May 26, Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman could file a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Villanueva within two weeks over his alleged involvement in the flood-control controversy.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The complaint involving Senator Joel Villanueva over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects is now under preliminary investigation, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Monday, June 29.
“’Yung nga, for PI [preliminary investigation] na (That one is already for preliminary investigation),” he said when asked about the status of the complaint against the senator.
Remulla, however, did not provide further details about the preliminary investigation involving Villanueva.
The Ombudsman added that his office is evaluating two or three complaints involving senators, with one already ready for filing before the anti-graft court.
“Dalawa o tatlo, ’yan ang tinitingnan namin kung mahihinog na. Pero ’yung isa hinog na hinog na para i-file sa Sandiganbayan (We are looking at two or three cases to determine if they are ripe for filing. But one is already more than ripe to be filed before the Sandiganbayan),” he said.
During the same briefing, Remulla identified Senator Rodante Marcoleta as the lawmaker whose plunder case is set to be filed before the Sandiganbayan this week.
On May 26, Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman could file a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Villanueva within two weeks over his alleged involvement in the flood-control controversy.
On June 19, progressive group Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) questioned the delay in the filing of charges against Villanueva over his alleged involvement in the Bulacan flood-control controversy, despite the Ombudsman’s earlier pronouncement that the matter was already “ripe” for prosecution.
The group said the delay coincided with recent political realignments in the Senate, including Villanueva’s reported transfer to the majority bloc led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

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Ombudsman Joel Villanueva flood-control projects preliminary investigation Sandiganbayan Philippines politics
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