A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a judicial review of the 2019 Ombudsman order that dismissed administrative cases against Senator Joel Villanueva in connection with the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2008.
The petition-in-intervention was filed by public rights advocate and high school teacher Barry Tayam, who questioned the legality of the Ombudsman’s 2019 order issued under former Ombudsman Samuel Martires. The order set aside an earlier 2016 decision that directed the dismissal of Villanueva from public service.
According to the petition, Tayam is urging the High Court to require full public disclosure of all records and proceedings related to the Ombudsman’s review of the case, arguing that transparency is essential in decisions involving public officials and public funds.
The 2019 Ombudsman order effectively cleared Villanueva of administrative liability for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, charges stemming from the alleged misuse of his ₱10-million pork barrel allocation when he was still a party-list lawmaker.
Tayam also asked the Supreme Court to reinstate the 2016 ruling that ordered Villanueva’s dismissal and to direct the Senate to impose the appropriate penalties should the earlier decision be upheld. He further called on the Court to lay down a doctrine on transparency applicable to all Ombudsman rulings.
As of this writing, neither the Senate nor the Office of the Ombudsman has released an official statement regarding the petition.
