Villanueva’s counsel behind recantation claims, says Remulla

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January 16, 2026 | 7:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Boying Remulla alleged that Sen. Joel Villanueva's legal counsel, Ramon Esguerra, was behind the claims that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara recanted his testimony implicating senators in flood control kickbacks. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 15, Remulla speculated that Villanueva’s counsel may have promoted the now-rejected claims to gain leverage, as the senator confronts a graft complaint tied to P150 million in alleged kickbacks from Bulacan flood control projects.

"And the guy spinning it is the lawyer of Joel Villanueva, 'di ba (right)? Ang nags-spin nun (The one spinning that is) si Mon Esguerra," he said. 

"Syempre, trying to get a good deal for Joel siguro itong si Mon Esguerra. Pero sabi ko nga, ano, lahat state witness? Pano 'yun, wala na tayo ikukulong? Wala na tayo pananagutin?" Remulla added. 

(Of course, Mon Esguerra is probably trying to get a good deal for Joel. But as I said, will everyone just be a state witness? If that's the case, we won't imprison anyone anymore? We won't hold anyone accountable anymore?)

Alcantara's lawyer, Emil Karlo Joven, said on Tuesday, January 13, that the former district engineer did not recant any of his testimonies at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings and other proceedings.

This became clear when the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that Alcantara, along with three other former DPWH officials, had been admitted as state witnesses in the flood control investigations.

Remulla warned that if Alcantara or any other official were to recant, it would undermine the credibility of their testimonies and jeopardize their state witness agreements, which are intended to absolve them of criminal liability.

The Ombudsman also said that if given the chance to speak with the accused, he would stress that "playing hardball will not be favorable" for them. 

Brice Hernandez, a dismissed DPWH assistant engineer, was the first to implicate Villanueva in the kickback scheme, which was later disclosed by his former boss, Alcantara. 

The senator has since filed a counter-affidavit with the DOJ on January 5, asserting his non-involvement in the kickbacks. Esguerra added that Villanueva has several witnesses ready to refute Alcantara’s claims that he facilitated and delivered the alleged P150 million in kickbacks.