Ombudsman to ask Sotto to enforce Villanueva dismissal

Metro Manila, Philippines - Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla will ask Senate President Tito Sotto to enforce a decade-old dismissal order against Senator Joel Villanueva over his misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In 2015, then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered Villanueva’s dismissal but Congress did not heed the directive. The Supreme Court declared the billions in so-called pork barrel funds of lawmakers unconstitutional in 2013, and a number of cases have been filed against them.

Remulla said he will write to Sotto to enforce the order.

“I will try to have it done today so I can deliver it to him tomorrow when I go to the Senate because we have a budget hearing at the Senate,” Remulla told ANC Headstart on Thursday, Oct. 23.

“It's something that has to be decided between men and between institutions, and it has to be for the good of the people. What is the meaning of this office if people will just ignore the orders of this office?” he added.

Remulla said his office will take the case to the high court if the Senate refuses to obey the order.

Meanwhile, Villanueva shared certifications that cleared him from criminal and administrative cases with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. He requested for the certifications, which were released in September, ahead of Remulla’s appointment.

“We already anticipated possible HARASSMENT plus FAKE NEWS,” he told reporters in a message.

Sotto has yet to comment pending communication to his office.