Philippines: SVD Order Denies Senate-Linked Allegations against Fr. Flavie Villanueva

The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation in Manila, Philippines, have strongly denied allegations linking Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, SVD, to the alleged receipt of money from anomalous transactions, calling the accusations “false,” “malicious,” and unsupported by evidence.

In a statement issued on June 4, the organizations responded to accusations aired during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where witnesses allegedly claimed that Fr. Flavie received cash through an envelope delivered near a church along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and through a suitcase sent to an address identified as “33 Clemente.”

The statement said the allegations were fabricated and contradicted by readily verifiable facts. It noted that no specific church was identified in the testimony and asserted that no SVD parish, church, or ministry center exists along Mindanao Avenue that matches the description provided by the witnesses. It also maintained that the claim involving the supposed delivery of a suitcase to “33 Clemente” was unsupported by any evidence.

“The witness publicly attributed to Fr. Flavie acts and transactions that never occurred,” the statement said, adding that the accusations constituted a grave injustice against a priest who has devoted his ministry to serving the poor, accompanying victims of extrajudicial killings and their families, and advocating for human dignity.

The foundation also criticized what it described as the reckless public airing of serious accusations without evidence and warned against placing individuals on trial based on unverified claims. It said legal action had already been initiated against those responsible for the allegations.

Fr. Flavie, a longtime advocate for families of victims of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, was among several personalities named during the controversial Senate hearing. Reports said no documentary evidence linking the priest to the alleged cash deliveries was presented during the proceedings.

The priest is known for founding the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center and Project Paghilom, initiatives that provide assistance to the homeless and families affected by drug war-related killings. He was also recognized as a Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate in 2025 for his work among marginalized communities.

The statement concluded by affirming that Fr. Flavie would continue his ministry “undeterred” and remain committed to standing with the poor, victims, and those seeking truth and justice.