Villars file counter-affidavit, seek dismissal of SEC complaint — lawyer

The Villar family on Monday filed their counter-affidavits and asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the complaint against them and Villar Land Holdings Corp. for alleged market manipulation, insider trading, and misleading disclosures, their lawyer said.

“Sa aming pananaw, para po sa Villar Land Holdings Corp. at ‘yung mga individual na directors at officers, we maintain that they did not commit any wrongdoing,” Atty. Robel Lomibao said in an ambush interview.

(In our view, for Villar Land Holdings Corp. and the individual directors and officers, we maintain that they did not commit any wrongdoing.)

“‘Yun po ang aming panalangin. ‘Yun po ang aming hinahangad na sana po sa dulo, mapanigan po kami ng panel at ma-dismiss po ‘yung kaso laban sa kanila,” he added. 

(This is our prayer. That is what we hope for, that in the end, the panel will side with us and the case against them will be dismissed.)

According to Lomibao, Senators Mark and Camille Villar and Paolo Villar filed their counter-affidavits before the prosecutors during the preliminary hearing.

Rhegine Peralta-Abrera, Mark Villar’s lawyer, said their camp argued that the complaint against him has no basis. 

“He actually welcomes the opportunity to address the allegations against him in the proper legal process and he is confident that a fair review of the facts will show that the charges have no basis,” she said.

“He denies any wrongdoing, all actions were made in good faith, and to ensure transparency, there is absolutely no evidence of fraud or intent to defraud,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Lomibao said former Senators Manuel and Cynthia Villar filed a verified manifestation and motion. 

“Requesting the DOJ panel of prosecutors and investigators to look at the complaint and hopefully decide in our favor,” Lomibao said.

In a separate interview, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Peter Ong said the DOJ will treat the manifestation and motion as the couple’s counter-affidavit.

Ong also assured that the Justice Department is always fair.

“We are always fair to everyone. Wala pong nag didikta sa amin. Kung anong tama, tama. Kung anong mali, mali. Kung may masasaktan, wala kaming magagawa pero we just have to do our job,” he said.

(We are always fair to everyone. No one dictates to us. What is right is right. What is wrong is wrong. If someone gets hurt, there is nothing we can do, but we just have to do our job.)

Meanwhile, Ong said that Virgilio Villar filed his counter-affidavit on April 8.

Ong said the complaint is not yet submitted for resolution. He added that there will be a clarificatory hearing on May 13.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s “24 Oras” report, the complaint was filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against the Villar family and officials of Villar Land Holdings Corporation.

SEC alleged the respondents engaged in market manipulation, insider trading, and misleading disclosure that misled investors.

Meanwhile, former Manuel and Cynthia were not present during the Villar siblings’ filing of their counter-affidavits. —with Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News