Joel Villanueva on pork scam case: ‘So be it’

Joel Villanueva happened to be at the Ombudsman when National Bureau of Investigation officials arrived on Friday to file graft and other complaints against him and several others in connection with the pork barrel fund scam.

Ironically, the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority  said he was providing the office with documents and information against a certain government official facing similar charges.

"I'm here on an official mission. Inanyayahan tayo ng Ombudsman na makipagtulungan to shed light on this case filed by the DOJ against an official," Villanueva, however, refused to elaborate on who was the personality charged in the said complaint.

As regards the complaints against him, Villanueva indicated he was ready to answer the allegations in court.

"If it's gonna come to this, so be it. Hindi ako natatakot sa katotohanan at kailanman ay hindi ako umaatras sa kahit anong laban na ibinibigay sa akin ng aking mga kalaban sa pulitika," Villanueva said in a short interview with reporters.

Villanueva was among the nine government officials set to be charged by the NBI with graft, malversation and direct bribery charges connection with their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

He was accused of allegedly receiving P2.330-million worth of kickbacks during his term as a CIBAC party-list representative for allegedly allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc (MAMFI), one of the fake foundations allegedly owned by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains of the pork barrel scam,

Villanueva said he had never misappropriated any amount from his PDAF during his term as a lawmaker.

"Since day one ay handa na po tayo. Kahit saang korte pa tayo mapunta ay kaya kong depensahan ang aking sarili. Kailanman ay wala akong ninakaw mula sa kaban ng bayan," Villanueva said.

Villanueva said he somehow feels "relieved" that the complaint against him has finally been filed after several months of "anticipating" for it.

"Sa isang banda, I feel relieved na finally makikita na natin kung ano ba talagang ebidensiya ang meron at gustong palabasin. At least mabibigyan na tayo ng pagkakataon na sagutin ito in a proper forum," Villanueva said.

Villanueva, however, questioned the timing of the filing of the complaint.

"Yung timing is just so weird. Alam naman natin na in the next couple of months ay filing na [ng certificate of candidacy]," Villanueva said.

"I think matatalino ang ating mga kababayan at alam nila kung paano ide-describe itong timing na ito," he added.

Villanueva refused to categorically confirm whether he will run for senator in the 2016 elections but said that this new complaint against him "will not affect" any possible candidacy.

"Pinagdadasal at pinag iisipan pa po natin. Pero hindi naman natin ikinukubli na tayo ay interesado sa 2016 elections," Villanueva said.

"Whether if I go for it (senatorial bid) or not, it's going to be the same kasi yung track record ko will speak for itself. Whether when I was still in Congress or now that I am in TESDA....Yung malinis na track record ko lang ang aking pinanghahawakan," Villanueva added.

Villanueva is a known ally of the administration. The Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) in which Villanueva used to be the representative, is a member of the administration coalition in the House of Representatives. —NB, GMA News