The union of Church and State poses risks to national interests, making it imperative to address the apparent entanglements in the Villanueva political web
When a leader of a prominent religious sect asserts disinterest in politics, yet his actions tell a different tale, the press must scrutinize and critique the apparent contradictions.
On Oct 14, the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church celebrated its 45th anniversary at Luneta.
In 2004, Brother Eddie Villanueva initiated the Bangon Pilipinas Movement, later rebranded as the Bangon Pilipinas Party, becoming his political platform for unsuccessful presidential bids in 2004 and 2010, along with an unsuccessful senatorial run in 2013.
Later, Villanueva established CIBAC under the party-list system, winning a House of Representatives seat from 2019 to 2022, eventually becoming a Deputy Speaker. This paved the way for the formation of a political dynasty in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Bocaue now serves as the stronghold for Villanueva’s political dynasty, with his son Eduardo Jr. as the current mayor, succeeding his sister Joni Villanueva-Tugna, whose husband Sherwin Tugna served as a CIBAC party-list representative for three terms.
The family’s political prominence extends to incumbent Senator Joel Villanueva, previously a CIBAC congressman from 2007 to 2010, now serving his second term in the Senate, with a significant voter base from JIL members.
Owning the Zoe Broadcasting Network, including A2Z TV channel 11 and Light TV channel 33, along with a Christian school in Bocaue, Brother Eddie’s influence is extensive.
Despite an anniversary advertisement stating Brother Eddie lost interest in worldly pursuits since 1973, his political engagements prompt questions.
Why run for president, senator, and become Deputy Speaker if politics lost its allure?
Why permit family involvement in politics and partisan roles?
An inquiry into CIBAC’s close ties with JIL is warranted.
The Commission on Elections should assess whether CIBAC acts merely as a conduit for JIL, given the potential implications of foreign interference in Philippine elections through JIL’s global membership.
Additionally, an online biography of Joel Villanueva reveals an Ombudsman directive for dismissal in 2016 due to alleged fund misuse during his congressional term.
Despite this, Joel Villanueva continued serving as senator, raising questions about adherence to the law.
Joel Villanueva’s visibility in JIL programs before the 2016 and 2022 senatorial elections contrasts with his alleged disobedience of the Ombudsman’s directive.
Is Senator Joel Villanueva above the law?
Without a clear, categorical, and satisfactory explanation, this issue will persist.
The Constitution mandates the separation of Church and State for valid reasons rooted in Philippine history.
The union of Church and State poses risks to national interests, making it imperative to address the apparent entanglements in the Villanueva political web.