Big business groups slam ‘secret reversal’ of Joel Villanueva dismissal

MANILA, Philippines — Four groups of business executives and justice advocates condemned the lack of transparency in the former Ombudsman’s “secret” decision to reverse a 2018 dismissal of now-Senator Joel Villanueva from public service.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, the groups said that the 2019 decision by then Ombudsman Samuel Martires cast doubt on the integrity of the Philippine justice system and dampened public hopes for accountability.

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“In this case, public disclosure was clearly warranted. Not doing so deprived the public of access to vital information, and the parties involved of their lawful remedies,” read the joint statement by the Makati Business Club, the Justice Reform Initiative, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and the Management Association of the Philippines.

“Such secrecy undermines confidence in the justice system and sends a dangerous signal that decisions affecting public accountability may be quietly undone, and the people can be kept in the dark,” it continued.

Call for action

To promote transparency within the government, the groups also pushed for the creation of a public registry of decisions and resolutions that involve public officials.

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“Democracy and public accountability can only work if there are consequences to violating the law. The Ombudsman, by standing by its sworn duty, can stop the impunity of corruption, be a champion of justice, and deliver on the promise of a government for the people,” they said.

The dismissal that Martires had overturned pertained to Villanueva’s alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2008, when he was still a member of the House of Representatives.

The reversal was only made public when the new Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin Remulla, took office. /dda

READ: Ombudsman releases reversal of dismissal order vs Joel Villanueva