Why it matters: Such attacks seek to drown out calls for justice while flooding the digital space with noise to obscure the reality of the drug war. Left unchecked, this synchronized noise erodes public trust in institutions and replaces evidence-based discourse with orchestrated propaganda. Through his “Project Paghilom,” he facilitated the exhumation and dignified reburial of drug war victims while providing holistic support to their grieving families. During a Senate hearing, he candidly admitted to surviving past drug use to demonstrate that redemption is possible and to advocate for restorative justice . The narratives: The attacks against Villanueva hinge on a two-pronged strategy designed to discredit both his past and his moral character.

Source: Philippine Star January 10, 2026 08:03 UTC