MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva yesterday filed his counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a malversation complaint against him in connection with the flood control scam. “Yes, he filed his counter-affidavit ahead of the PI (preliminary investigation) this Monday,” DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez confirmed to reporters. He was earlier granted an extension until Jan. 26 to file his counter-affidavit in one of the three complaints. Villanueva is also facing graft and direct bribery complaints at the DOJ over alleged receipt of P150 million in kickbacks from the flood control scam. Hernandez was the first one to reveal Villanueva’s alleged receipt of kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan.

Source: Philippine Star January 23, 2026 16:06 UTC