MANILA, Philippines — Broadcaster Jay Sonza has sparked renewed debate online after releasing a strong statement questioning why the Roman Catholic Church has not taken disciplinary action against Catholic priest Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, SVD.

In a social media post, Sonza criticized Villanueva and called on Church authorities to take action regarding the priest’s alleged past controversies and statements related to social and political issues. In his message, Sonza directly questioned when the Church would expel the priest, using strong language to express his frustration and concern.

Sonza also claimed that Villanueva’s continued role as a priest reflects negatively on the Church and its community of believers. He added that, as someone who grew up within the Catholic faith, he finds it difficult to understand how the priest continues to celebrate the Holy Mass in front of churchgoers.

The broadcaster further mentioned Villanueva’s participation in an event in the House of Representatives of the Philippines, where the priest reportedly celebrated Mass attended by lawmakers. Sonza criticized the situation and used it to question the broader role of religious leaders in political spaces.

Fr. Villanueva, a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), has previously been involved in advocacy work related to marginalized communities and social issues. His public statements and involvement in national debates have, at times, drawn both support and criticism from different sectors of society.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the leadership of the Society of the Divine Word or from the broader Roman Catholic Church regarding Sonza’s call for disciplinary action.

The issue has since circulated widely on social media, where it has become part of a larger discussion about the responsibilities of religious leaders, the boundaries between faith and politics, and how institutions handle internal controversies.

For many observers, the situation highlights the tension between freedom of expression, institutional accountability, and the expectations placed on religious figures who hold influential roles in society.

As the debate continues, an important question remains: How should religious institutions balance public accountability and internal discipline when controversies involving their leaders become part of national discourse?

(Larawan mula kay: Jay Sonza / Facebook, Manila Standard)