FROM HOW IT looks, a well-entrenched political dynasty that has lorded over Las Piñas City for decades is on its way to “extinction” — if not conviction.
This comes as Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Tammy Ann Reyes Mendillo issued a warrant against Ferdinand Villar and Dennis Aguilar who were tagged as co-accused in multiple estafa cases arising from the transfer of P450 million in infrastructure projects intended for Las Piñas.
Previously arrested at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) head office in Manila was dismissed Las Piñas-Muntinlupa district engineer Isabelo Baleros for violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
He however has been released after being detained at the Manila Police District – Baseco Police Station after posting bail.
GLARING ANOMALY
In a statement, Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said that Baleros involvement in questionable transactions, including a supposed transfer of funds for flood control projects.
“This is the tip of the iceberg. If DPWH really wants to prove it is serious about reforms, they must not only fire, but also jail these officials,” Santos was quoted as saying in an article which appeared in the Philippine Inquirer.
“The P450 million stolen from Las Piñas is not just a number—it’s the people’s hard-earned money. We will not let this go unanswered,” he added.
According to the neophyte congressman, Baleros asked that funds for several projects in Las Piñas be transferred from his district office to the DPWH’s regional office in the National Capital Region, without first consulting local officials.
BONOAN’S CONSENT
Santos noted that then Public Works Assistant Secretary Loreta Malaluan approved the transfer — and confirmed by former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, sans prior consultation with the Office of the Mayor, the Office of the Congressional Representative, the City Engineering Office, or the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“This is a glaring act of bypassing local governance. How can you move hundreds of millions of pesos without informing the elected officials of the city? This reeks of backroom maneuvering,” Santos said.
The Las Piñas congressman also expressed doubt whether there was visible progress or even initial work on different projects — citing the C5 Diversion Road project and other 27 projects listed under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, worth P450 million.
VILLAR DYNASTY
Since the early 90s, the Villar political dynasty has lorded Las Piñas City where Manny served as Congressman. In a span of just six years, he became the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Villars have kept the Las Piñas congressional post within the family, as Cynthia took over the congressional district until 2010. Manny moved to the Senate and was elected the upper chamber’s president during the third regular session of the 13th Congress.
With age catching up on them, Mark was elected to the post from 2010 to 2016, or until he was appointed secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways by then-president Rodrigo Duterte.
Camille took over and went on to become the fourth Villar to ever sit in the Senate.
PURGING VILLARS
Following the flood control scandal involving congressmen and CPWH officials, the Department of Justice (DoJ) hinted at including the Villar family in its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Las Piñas.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the flood-control inquiry now covers former senator Cynthia, and her children Mark and Camille over possible conflicts of interest.
Mark, who served as DPWH secretary from 2016 to 2021, is being investigated for allegedly favoring a contractor said to be his first cousin.
“The contractor reportedly secured projects amounting to over P18 billion in Las Piñas alone. That raises questions that we need to examine,” Mr. Remulla told reporters.
The DoJ chief added that the senators (Mark and Camille) will be given an opportunity to present his side and respond to the allegations.