Ched Rick Gatchalian

Sen. Joel Villanueva. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB

 

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Malacañang wants probe into alleged ‘secret decision’ reversing Joel Villanueva’s graft case

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176129415959420230329-senate-joel-villanueva-sprib.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Sen. Joel Villanueva. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB   </div>MANILA — Malacañang on Friday said it wants an investigation into the Office of the Ombudsman&#x27;s undisclosed decision to reverse a 2016 order dismissing Sen. Joel Villanueva over the alleged misuse of discretionary funds while he was CIBAC party-list representative.It said that issue needs to be clarified to avoid speculation and distrust in institutions.Newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that there was a “secret reversal” of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales’ order, claiming that several other officials from the agency were unaware of his predecessor Samuel Martires&#x27; decision to reverse the dismissal.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/23/remulla-drops-bid-to-enforce-villanueva-dismissal-after-secret-reversal-1642">Remulla drops bid to enforce Villanueva dismissal after &#x27;secret&#x27; reversal</a></div>Martires has already confirmed the reversal, arguing he did not disclose it because he did not have to.“Dapat ito talagang maimbestigahan nang malaliman upang kung anuman ang may pagkakamali, kung anuman ang nalabag na batas kung mayroon man ay dapat itong masolusyunan at maitama ng Office of the Ombudsman,”  Communications Secretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.(This really needs a thorough investigations so that any error or violation in the reversal can be rectified by the Office of the Ombudsman)Incumbent officials need to trace when Martires issued the order to see if the reversal is valid or can still be appealed, said Castro, a lawyer by profession.“Halimbawa po ay hindi po nabigyan ng kopya ang mga parties, iyon pong time para mag-file ng anumang aksiyon – let’s say motion for reconsideration regarding the said decision ay hindi naman po umaandar,” she said.(Let&#x27;s say the parties were not given copies, then the time to file any action — let&#x27;s say a motion for reconsideration — might not have lapsed yet)She said that in criminal cases, motions for reconsideration will not stop the filing of criminal cases at the Sandiganbayan or other courts)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/24/martires-defends-secrecy-of-villanueva-dismissal-case-reversal-1457">Martires defends &#x27;secrecy&#x27; of Villanueva dismissal case reversal: I protect a person&#x27;s dignity</a></div>Martires earlier told ANC’s Dateline Philippines that there was nothing illegal in his refusal to make the reversal order public.“Probably my successor is now doing it, but I did not want to be glorified at the expense of people whose guilt is not yet determined by the court,&quot; Martires said, noting that his office sent a copy of his decision to Senate President Vicente Sotto III at the time.&quot;Kaya &#x27;di ako nagsasalita is not because pinoprotektahan ko ang mga taong ito. Kaya hindi ako nagsasalita dahil wala akong karapatan sirain ang kanilang future,&quot; Martires said.(I do not speak, not because I am protecting the person, but because I have no right to ruin their future)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/23/martires-says-dismissal-order-vs-joel-villanueva-junked-in-2019-1226">Martires says dismissal order vs Joel Villanueva junked in 2019</a></div>Villanueva earlier described Remulla’s statement against him as harassment.

Malacañang on Friday said it wants an investigation into the Office of the Ombudsman's undisclosed decision to reverse a 2016 order dismissing Sen. Joel Villanueva over the alleged misuse of discretionary funds while he was CIBAC party-list representative.

Malacañang on Friday said it wants an investigation into the Office of the Ombudsman's undisclosed decision to reverse a 2016 order dismissing Sen. Joel Villanueva over the alleged misuse of discretionary funds while he was CIBAC party-list representative.

Malacañang wants probe into Martires reversal in Joel Villanueva graft case

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Malacañang wants probe into Martires reversal in Joel Villanueva graft case

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 24, 2025 04:40 PM PHT

Read More:

Malacañang

Ombudsman

Joel Villanueva

Secret decision

Samuel Martires

Jesus Crispin Remulla

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