Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Wednesday said Sens. Mark and Camille Villar, along with their mother and former senator, Cynthia, are being investigated for their reported familial ties with a Las Piñas-based contractor.
Remulla told reporters that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is vetting information that Mark has a first cousin who is a contractor: “That’s a prohibited interest… With his cousin being the contractor in Las Piñas. P18.5 billion worth of projects.”
Mark was the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary from 2016 to 2021, under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
During his term, Cynthia was still a senator while his sister Camille was the Las Piñas representative starting in 2019.
Remulla confirmed that the Justice Department’s investigation will involve all projects, as well as probe Camille and Cynthia, as they have “related interests.”
“That’s just one relationship. That’s just one family. First degree of consanguinity up to the fourth degree of consanguinity… Or even third degree. From Cynthia to the contractors,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“All kinds of projects are included. Whatever you can think of, that’s it. All of them are part of the menu. From a small building to roads to hot spot overlay to revetments, all of that,” he added.
