Manila: The Office of the Ombudsman's alleged 'secret' decision to reverse the 2016 dismissal order against Senator Joel Villanueva requires a thorough investigation, Malaca±ang announced Friday. The decision, which was not publicly disclosed, only came to light when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that his predecessor, Samuel Martires, had reversed the dismissal.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed serious concerns during a press briefing regarding the secretive nature of the decision. Castro emphasized the necessity of an investigation, stating that such undisclosed decisions could erode public trust in the justice system. She stressed the importance of maintaining public confidence, particularly in agencies tasked with tackling corruption.

Castro, who also holds a legal background, underscored that the decision on Villanueva's 2016 motion for reconsideration should have been resolved before 2019. She asserted the Palace's confidence in Ombudsman Remulla to address any legal missteps appropriately.

Ombudsman Remulla had earlier pushed for the enforcement of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales' 2016 dismissal order against Villanueva. This was linked to the alleged misuse of PHP10 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund during Villanueva's 2008 tenure as a Cibac party-list representative. Villanueva faced charges of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation through falsification of documents, claims he refutes, arguing that the evidence was fabricated, including a forged signature.

Despite the charges, the Senate did not execute Carpio-Morales' dismissal order after Villanueva's 2016 election to the Senate, citing unresolved procedural and substantive issues with the motion for reconsideration. The Senate legal department also noted that the Ombudsman lacks disciplinary authority over Congress members, as specified in Section 21 of Republic Act 6770 and its Rules of Procedure.

In response to the controversy, Villanueva described the situation as self-explanatory harassment after publicly releasing documents related to his dismissal.