Senator Mark Villar on Thursday said he is ready to face an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman after the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) referred his case to the anti-graft body for further review.
In a statement, Villar said the ICI’s decision supports his long-standing position that the accusations raised against him lack a factual basis.
"The ICI’s decision to refer my case to the Ombudsman reaffirms what I have maintained from the outset: the allegations against me are baseless and unsupported by any evidence. I have always conducted myself with integrity, and my track record will speak for itself,” Villar said.
The senator emphasized that he is prepared to fully cooperate with the next phase of the investigation and expressed confidence that an impartial inquiry will clear his name.
“I am fully prepared to participate in the Ombudsman’s investigation. I welcome a thorough and impartial review that will bring the truth to light and ensure that those genuinely accountable are held to answer,” he added.
“I am confident that any fair investigation will dispel the false allegations against me.”
On Wednesday, the ICI referred a new set of cases to the Office of the Ombudsman, recommending further investigation and case build-up against Senators Chiz Escudero and Mark Villar, as well as former senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay, “because of the gravity of the allegations” in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The ICI also urged the filing of direct and indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative charges against former senator Bong Revilla and several others, including Maynard Ngu, Carleen Villa, Gerard Opulencia, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, Gene Ryan Altea, Carleen Yap-Villa, J.Y. Dela Rosa, Mrs. Patron, and Carlo Aguilar.
ICI chairperson, retired Supreme Court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr., earlier announced the referrals but declined to provide additional details, noting that the recommendations were based on testimonies from former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.