Manila: Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday submitted a counter-affidavit to refute allegations connecting him to ghost flood control projects, as confirmed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed the submission in a message to reporters, stating, "He filed his counter-affidavit ahead of the preliminary investigation this Monday." The senator made a personal appearance at the DOJ but opted not to engage with the media regarding his filing.

Earlier this month, Villanueva's legal team submitted his counter-affidavit to the DOJ concerning a separate graft complaint. This complaint involves the alleged receipt of approximately P150 million in kickbacks from a flood control project. Villanueva was initially given a deadline of January 26 to submit his counter-affidavit.

The senator has been identified as a respondent in malversation complaints associated with Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. These accusations stem from testimony by state witness and former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara. Appearing before the Senate last September, Alcantara alleged that Villanueva received commissions at a rest house in Bocaue, Bulacan, purportedly through his personnel named 'Peng.'

Source: Philippines News Agency