MANILA, Philippines — Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David defends Fr. Flavie Villanueva after he was accused by the “ex-Marines: that he allegedly received an envelope containing money from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
In a Facebook post Saturday, David said such allegations should be backed up with facts, noting that a person’s name should not be tainted by “unsubstantiated accusations.”
“I find it difficult to believe that a man whose life and work have earned the respect of so many, including the recognition bestowed upon him by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation after its own rigorous vetting process, would suddenly be reduced to the caricature painted by reckless allegations,” David said.
Earlier this week, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano led a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where former marine Joely Cadiao claimed that he delivered the envelope to Villanueva near a church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City.
The Bishop of Cubao, however, noted that no such church exists in the area.