Youth groups question delay in Joel Villanueva case amid Senate shake-up

[Updated June 19, 2026, 5:02 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — Youth groups on Friday questioned the Office of the Ombudsman’s alleged failure to file charges against Sen. Joel Villanueva despite earlier pronouncements that the case against him was “already ripe” for filing.

Members of Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark), Kilusan para sa Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Kalikasan, at Katiyakan sa Paninirahan (K4K) Quezon City, and Oriang noted that more than two weeks had passed since Ombudsman Crispin Remulla said the plunder complaint against the senator was already ready for filing, yet no charges have so far been brought against him.

READ: WATCH: Joel Villanueva arrives at Senate plenary

“More than two weeks have passed, yet there is still no clear action. It is alarming that Villanueva has not been charged up to now. Is it because he switched sides and aligned himself with the Gatchalian bloc?” Spark said in a statement.

In a Facebook post, they wrote, “Just because Villanueva flipped sides, he’s [safe]?”

The groups pointed out that the delay coincided with recent political realignments in the Senate, including Villanueva’s move to the majority bloc led by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

“The public now views that the constitutional body has been weaponized by the Marcos administration to facilitate the establishment of a new Senate majority and to secure the senators’ votes in the impeachment case of VP Sara Duterte,” they said.

The groups likewise criticized what they described as “opportunism” in the Senate, claiming that administration allies were willing to accommodate officials facing corruption allegations in exchange for political support.

They urged the Ombudsman to demonstrate independence and fulfill its constitutional mandate by ensuring that public officials are held accountable regardless of political affiliation.

“Our call remains the same: hold all corrupt officials accountable!” the groups said.

The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a response to the Inquirer’s request for comment as of posting time. /mr