Pimentel: Ombudsman must first act on Villanueva appeal

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER FILE

The Ombudsman must act first on a motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by Senator Joel Villanueva before the Senate could act on the dismissal order against him, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday.

Pimentel said he was informed that Villanueva had already filed an MR before the Office of the Ombudsman.

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

“Hence, the Ombudsman must act on that first before I act on the Ombudsman’s letter to me,” he said in a text message to reporters.

“Although I would follow the “better” procedure which is to refer the Ombudsman letter to the rules committee,” the Senate leader added.

The rules committee in the Senate is headed by Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Pimentel was reacting to the dismissal order issued by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales against Villanueva for the allegedly anomalous use of P10 million pork barrel allocation when the latter was still a congressman.

Villanueva has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying he did not receive the amount. CBB/rga