Kalinga Foundation, Paghilom Deny ‘Fabricated’ Cash Payout Claims in Senate Flood Control Probe

Photo Courtesy: Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation and Program Paghilom(Collab Post) / Facebook; Uploaded: June 4, 2026 - 8:22 PM

The Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation and Program Paghilom have categorically rejected corruption allegations leveled against their founder, Rev. Fr. Flaviano "Flavie" Antonio L. Villanueva, SVD, calling them "fabricated stories" and a "grave injustice".

The denial comes after a group of 18 self-proclaimed "ex-Marines" testified before a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by the Cayetano bloc. During the probe into a multi-billion peso flood control mess, a witness claimed that cash stashed in an envelope and a suitcase was delivered to the human rights activist priest on behalf of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

Glaring Geographical Errors

In an official statement, the humanitarian organizations pointed out significant factual and geographical inconsistencies in the witness's testimony. The accuser claimed that an envelope containing money was delivered near a church along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City.

However, the foundation refuted the claim, noting that no Society of the Divine Word (SVD) parish, church, or ministry center exists anywhere along Mindanao Avenue.

The witness also alleged that a suitcase filled with cash was delivered to an address identified as “33 Clemente”. The foundation strongly condemned what it called a reckless public airing of serious, unverified accusations that crumble under readily verifiable facts.

Ongoing Legal Battles

"We will not allow decades of faithful ministry to be tarnished by fabricated stories," the foundation stated. The religious groups also confirmed that formal legal action has already been initiated to hold those choosing to bear false witness accountable.

The latest Senate controversy follows earlier legal chess moves regarding the same group of accusers. Fr. Villanueva—a vocal human rights advocate who received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work providing psychosocial and legal aid to families of drug war victims through Program Paghilom—previously took aggressive legal steps alongside Rep. Leila de Lima. The duo filed formal perjury and cyber libel complaints against the 18 alleged ex-Marines and their legal counsel, Levi Baligod, at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The foundation maintained that funds operating their humanitarian centers come from legitimate donors, altogether rejecting claims that their advocacy is fueled by illicit flood control kickbacks.