DOJ: Villanueva given until Jan. 26 to answer malversation raps

Senator Joel Villanueva has asked for an extension to file his counter-affidavit in one of the malversation complaints linked to the alleged ghost flood control projects in Bulacan, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said Villanueva filed a motion for extension as state prosecutors conducted a preliminary investigation (PI) into six malversation complaints involving Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.

Villanueva was given until January 26 to submit his counter-affidavit. He was named as a respondent in three out of the six malversation complaints.

"Senator Joel Villanueva filed a motion for extension asking and requesting the panel of prosecutors be given until January 26 to file his affidavit, which the prosecutors granted," Martinez told reporters.

Fourteen complaints related to the flood control controversy are currently pending before the DOJ. The initial batch of complaints includes five involving SYMS Construction, of which two have been referred to the Office of Ombudsman and filed before the Sandiganbayan. The three remaining complaints are pending resolution.

The second batch involving Wawao and Topnotch is set to be submitted for resolution within the month, while the third batch includes plunder complaints against former Ako-Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.

"Lahat yan gumagalaw but in different stages. We cannot determine or say kailan matatapos ang anim na yun," Martinez said.

(The preliminary investigations into these complaints are ongoing but are developing in different stages. We cannot determine or say when these six complaints will be resolved.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Villanueva for comment.

Villanueva was linked to the controversy by dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara in September 2025.

Earlier this month, the lawmaker filed a counter-affidavit in a graft complaint over the alleged delivery of around P150 million in kickbacks from a flood control project. —VBL, GMA Integrated News