Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, a Catholic priest known for his ministry to families of drug war victims, dismissed as “absurd” and “plain lunacy” allegations raised during a Senate hearing that he had received money from individuals linked to an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
“Plain lunacy. Absurd. Completely detached from reality,” Villanueva told LiCAS News when asked about the accusations.
Former military personnel who testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on June 4 identified the priest among several politicians, former lawmakers, and public figures they claimed had received cash deliveries allegedly tied to anomalous flood control projects.
In a phone interview with LiCAS News, the Society of the Divine Word priest said he could not think of a word strong enough to describe what he called the “drama” and “script” unfolding in the Senate.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t waste my brain cells on these baseless accusations,” he said.
Villanueva has been one of the most prominent Catholic critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. He is widely known for his ministry to families of drug war victims and for helping provide dignified burials to victims of extrajudicial killings.
The allegations surfaced during a contentious hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects presided over by Sen. Pia Cayetano. The proceedings pushed through despite objections from Senate leaders after a chamber reorganization replaced Cayetano as chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee and installed Sen. Erwin Tulfo in her place.
Tulfo had earlier issued a notice postponing the hearing, while Senate leaders questioned its authority to proceed. Nevertheless, senators allied with the Cayetano bloc continued with the proceedings and heard testimony from 18 individuals identifying themselves as former Marines.
The witnesses claimed they had served as couriers delivering suitcases filled with cash to politicians and other personalities. According to their testimony, the money represented kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects, with each suitcase allegedly containing between ₱20 million and ₱48 million.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation said it is reopening its probe into the 18 individuals after receiving information from a relative of one of the witnesses alleging that members of the group may have been paid in exchange for their testimony.
The NBI said it had issued a subpoena to a former congressman as part of its fact-finding investigation into the new bribery allegations.
Villanueva was among several personalities named by the witnesses, alongside incumbent and former lawmakers, including Leila de Lima, France Castro, Sandro Marcos, Gerville Luistro, Benny Abante, Joel Chua, Janette Garin, Stella Quimbo, and Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Erwin Tulfo, among others.
The witnesses also alleged that former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co used two suitcases containing US$1 million each to pay investigators of the International Criminal Court to pursue an investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Several of those named in the testimony have denied the allegations. Malacañang has likewise dismissed the claims as politically motivated.
The Philippine Marine Corps said the individuals testified in their personal capacities and did not represent the institution. Sen. Panfilo Lacson also disclosed that 10 of the 18 individuals had allegedly been dishonorably discharged from military service, most of them for being absent without official leave.
No documentary evidence linking Villanueva to any alleged cash delivery was presented during the hearing.
