Senator Joel Villanueva has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for more time to submit his counter-affidavit in connection with malversation complaints tied to alleged ghost flood control projects in Bulacan. Prosecutors granted his request, giving him until January 26, 2026, to file his response.

MANILA, Philippines — January 20, 2026 — Senator Joel Villanueva sought an extension to file his counter-affidavit in one of several malversation cases linked to questionable flood control projects in Bulacan. The DOJ confirmed that Villanueva, who is named as a respondent in three of six complaints involving construction firms Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., filed a motion for extension during Tuesday’s preliminary investigation.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez explained that Villanueva’s request was granted by the panel of prosecutors. “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.

The investigation stems from allegations of ghost or non-existent flood control projects in Bulacan, with at least 14 complaints currently pending before the DOJ. Villanueva is among several respondents, including former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Niño Lawrence Morales, Ernesto Galang, and executives of Topnotch Catalyst Builders. None of Villanueva’s 33 co-respondents submitted their counter-affidavits during the same hearing.

The senator has consistently denied involvement in the controversy, previously describing the accusations as baseless. He has also emphasized his commitment to due process, saying he will respond to the charges through proper legal channels. The DOJ, meanwhile, continues to conduct preliminary investigations into multiple complaints, including five separate cases involving SYMS Construct.

The flood control scandal has drawn public attention due to the scale of alleged irregularities, with projects reportedly “grossly deficient or completely non-existent.” Justice officials have stressed that the ongoing probe aims to establish accountability and ensure that public funds were not misused.

Villanueva’s extension request underscores the complexity of the case, which involves numerous respondents and overlapping complaints. His counter-affidavit, once filed, is expected to outline his defense against accusations of malversation and misuse of government funds.

Due Process or Buying Time

Requesting more time is a legal right. Complex cases demand preparation, and due process protects everyone, even public officials facing serious allegations. Extensions, on paper, are routine and allowed.

But timing shapes trust. In scandals involving ghost projects and public money, every delay dulls urgency. Accountability already moves slowly. Extra time feeds suspicion that procedure becomes shelter, not fairness. The public waits while deadlines stretch and momentum thins.

Due process must protect rights, not weaken resolve. The balance is fragile. When extensions stack up in corruption cases, the question sharpens. Is justice being carefully observed, or quietly slowed until attention fades away again?