Villanueva hurt by Ombudsman’s dismissal order

Senator Joel Villanueva. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Joel Villanueva admitted on Monday that he was hurt and disheartened by the Ombudsman’s order dismissing him from public service for the alleged anomalous use of “pork barrel” funds when he was still a congressman.

READ: Sen. Villanueva ordered dismissed from public service over ‘pork’

Despite the Ombudsman’s order, Villanueva attended the session at the Senate, hopeful that the truth would come out and that justice would prevail in his favor.

READ: Villanueva says ‘justice will be served’ after dismissal order

“Importante na patuloy nating respetuhin yung ating sistema bagamat aaminin ko po na talagang nakapanggagalit, nakapanglulumo itong mga ganitong balita pero alam natin yung calling natin kaya tayo narito,” he told reporters before the session.

(It is important to continue to respect our system although I admit that these news are frustrating and disheartening but I know my calling that’s why I’m here.)

The senator lamented that the alleged pork barrel scam could not be addressed by a “witch hunt.”

“To this day, I still maintain my innocence,” he said.

Villanueva reiterated that he did not receive the pork barrel funds, noting that when he was a congressman, he belonged to the minority group in the House of Representatives and one of those who initiated the impeachment complaint against then President and now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Hind ko rin alam hanggang sa ngayon kung saan galing ang pondo na ito at anong nangyari dito. Dapat maparusahan yung mga salarin dito at muli hindi po ito maa-address ng isang witch hunt (To this day, I still don’t know where the funds went and what happened to it. The culprits should be punished and it couldn’t be addressed by a witch hunt),” he said.

“Tao lang tayo para masaktan at hind ko itatagong nakapanggagalit kasi noong mga nakaraang panahon, halos tatlong taon na po ito. Nakakasama man ng loob, lagi nating sinasabi na sakrpisyo natin ito at ito’y ambag natin para sa mas maayos na proseso ng ating judicial system.”

(I’m only human not to get hurt and I won’t deny that it is frustrating because this has been three years already. Although it’s disheartening, I always say that it is my sacrifice and it is my contribution to a more organized process of our  judicial system)

“Ngayon parang hindi sakripisyo, parang pinapako na po ako sa krus. But just the same nagiging positibo tayo sapagkat alam natin ang katotohanan at tayo po ay walang itinatago . Hindi tayo natatakot sa katotohanan…” the senator added.

(Now, it doesn’t seem like a sacrifice but it’s like I’m being crucified. But just the same, I’m positive because I know the truth and I have nothing to hide. I’m not afraid of the truth.)

Villanueva has already filed a motion for reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s order. RAM/rga