Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784273404863photo-collage.png (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said cases will still push through against Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Chiz Escudero, amid allegations their move to the Senate&#x27;s majority bloc had an effect on their legal battles.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/-hinog-na-ombudsman-says-case-vs-joel-villaneuva-almost-ready-1356">&#x27;Hinog na&#x27;: Ombudsman says flood control case vs Joel Villaneuva almost ready</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/escudero-answers-flood-control-kickback-allegations-in-complaint-affidavit-ombudsman-1134"> </a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/escudero-answers-flood-control-kickback-allegations-in-complaint-affidavit-ombudsman-1134">Escudero answers flood control kickback allegations in complaint-affidavit – Ombudsman</a></div><p>Villanueva was accused by former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara of receiving a P150 million kickback for a P600-million multi-purpose building project in the province. He has since denied the accusation.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/19/ombudsman-urged-to-expedite-filing-of-case-vs-villanueva-others-1538">Ombudsman urged to expedite filing of case vs Villanueva, others</a></div><p>Escudero was also accused of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects, which he has denied.</p><p>Remulla meanwhile dismissed concerns that the graft-busting body is allegedly targeting the new Senate minority.</p><p>&quot;No such thing. Remember, the people in jail now, many of them were our allies. That&#x27;s just, that&#x27;s the way it is,&quot; Remulla said.</p><div><br/></div><div><em>More details to follow.</em></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable fr-active" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTz8aDj5HNQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said cases will still push through against Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Chiz Escudero.</p>

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said cases will still push through against Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Chiz Escudero.

​Ombudsman says cases vs Villanueva, Escudero still a go, denies targeting minority

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​Ombudsman says cases vs Villanueva, Escudero still a go, denies targeting minority

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 17, 2026 03:31 PM PHT

|

Updated July 17, 2026 04:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Ombudsman

Joel Villanueva

Chiz Escudero

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Ombudsman says cases vs Villanueva, Escudero still a go, denies targeting minority

Ombudsman says cases vs Villanueva, Escudero still a go, denies targeting minority