Philippines: Clergy Group Rallies Behind Priests Facing Harassment Over Duterte Plunder Complaint

A Catholic clergy organization has thrown its support behind two priests who say they are being harassed following their participation in a plunder complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte of the Philippines.

The Clergy for Good Governance issued a statement on December 17 defending Fr. Flavie Villanueva and Fr. Roberto Reyes, who joined civil society groups in filing the case before the Ombudsman on December 12.

Duterte is facing plunder over the alleged misuse of P612 million worth of confidential funds, which were allegedly diverted, misused, and concealed across the Office of the Vice President (OVP) as well as the Department of Education (DepEd), which she previously headed.

In addition to plunder, the complainants also accused her and her staff of bribery, malversation, graft, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. The latter two charges were grounds for impeachment last February but are not listed as criminal offenses in the Revised Penal Code.

The two priests are being harassed online with hate speeches by netizens who don't favor the plunder case against Duterte.

A pro-Duterte vlogger, Sir Jack Argota, posted two days ago, "Hindi lahat ng dĕmŏnyŏ may sungay, yung iba naka damit na puti tapos may suot na cross" (Not all demons have horns, some wear white clothes and a cross) on his Facebook with a photo of Fr. Villanueva.

Fr. Villanueva, a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate, is an advocate for social justice. He heads the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, which offers free meals, showers, and a chance for the homeless to rebuild their lives.

Fr. Reyes is known as the "Running Priest" for using long-distance runs to highlight social, political, and environmental issues, advocating for the poor, good governance, and justice.

"We stand with you," the group declared. "We stand for truth over fear. We stand for justice over power."

The clergy organization explained the priests' actions are a pastoral duty and not political interference, stating that filing a plunder case and seeking justice should not be criminalized.

"When priests speak for the hungry, the stolen, and the silenced, attacks will follow," the statement read, drawing parallels to historical persecution of those who speak truth to power.

The group emphasized that the harassment appears to be a response to the priests' willingness to publicly challenge alleged corruption, saying, "When truth is attacked, it means it has been heard."

Addressing the two priests directly in Filipino, the organization assured them: "Hindi kayo nag-iisa" (You are not alone).

The clergy group argued that intimidation tactics cannot suppress accountability, stating: "Attacking messengers does not resolve the charges. Accountability begins with answering them."

Other complainants in the plunder case include former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles, former Department of Finance undersecretary and economist Maria Cielo Magno, youth leaders Matthew Christian Silverio and John Lloyd Crisostomo, and anti-corruption advocate Christopher Cabahug.

The Clergy for Good Governance concluded its statement by invoking the Church's role in social justice: "When the Church walks with the people, the people will never walk alone.”