Amid the Issue, Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires Breaks Silence on Junking Case against Sen. Joel Villanueva
Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires broke his silence on his alleged ‘unpublished’ decision over the case against Senator Joel Villanueva.
Previously, newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla expressed his desire for the enforcement of the 2016 dismissal order against now-Senator Joel Villanueva. The lawmaker was previously accused of alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF when he was still a House member.
Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ruled for the dismissal of Sen. Joel Villanueva. Remulla intended to write a letter to Senate President Tito Sotto to convince him to enforce the said dismissal order. He also planned to personally deliver the letter to the Senate Chief.
However, the making of the letter as well as its delivery did not push through after documents showing that the complaints against Sen. Joel Villanueva have crossed the surface. Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that the reversal of the decision was allegedly made in secret as it was not published.
“Walang nakakita noon e. It’s never been made public, he released a statement hinanap niya ‘yung decision,” the Ombudsman said.
Furthermore, Ombudsman Remulla also expressed that only Sen. Joel Villanueva and former Ombudsman Samuel Martires seemingly have the knowledge over the junking of the case against the Senator. The country’s chief graft-buster stressed that they are not done.
“Silang dalawa lang ang may alam. Hindi pa kami tapos… pag aaralan namin. We might have to refile the case, wala namang double jeopardy ‘yun. For now aral muna… aral ulit,” Remulla said.
Recently, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires broke his silence on his ‘unpublished’ ruling on the case against Sen. Joel Villanueva. Based on a report on GMA News, the former Ombudsman claimed that he cannot remember why his decision was not published.
“Hindi ko maalala sa tagal ng panahon, hindi ko maalala ang reason ba’t hindi na-publish ‘yan. Maybe because I was also overwhelmed with cases. Sinasabi lang, dapat daw pinublish ko dahil obligasyon daw namin i-publish ‘yun. Ang batas naman sinasabi lang if the circumstances warrant, ‘yun naman mula Konstitusyon hanggang batas,” Martires told Super Radyo dzBB.
Based on the report, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires stressed that the discretion on whether to publish a decision or not is with the Ombudsman. He raised a question why critics should dictate the Ombudsman to publish a ruling.
Amid the flood control allegations against him, a photo showing Sen. Joel Villanueva and his family together with Henry Alcantara, a former official of the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) crossed the surface.