A Facebook post claims Sen. Joel Villanueva said God put him in his position for a mission. This is FAKE.
On June 15, a Facebook page posted a graphic card containing Villanueva’s photo and text saying:
“MAY MISYON” INIHAYAG NI SEN. JOEL VILLANUEVA KUNG BAKIT SIYA INILAGAY NG DIYOS SA POSISYON.
(There’s a mission. Sen. Joel Villanueva reveals why God placed him in his position.)”
Part of the caption claims Villanueva believes public officials should always remember why they were put in their positions. It read:
“Huwag muna tayong mag-focus sa pulitika. Ito ang mariing mensahe ni Senador Joel Villanueva sa gitna ng mga bali-balitang may nagaganap na pagbabago sa liderato sa loob ng Senado.
Ayon sa senador, hindi dapat mawala sa paningin ng mga lingkod-bayan ang kanilang pangunahing layunin kung bakit sila inilagay sa posisyon. Bagama’t hindi siya direktang bumanat sa mga umiiral na sigalot sa pagitan ng ilang kampo, iginiit niya na mas dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagprotekta sa institusyon ng gobyerno kaysa sa kampihan.
Sinabi ni Villanueva na ang serbisyo sa mamamayan ang dapat na maging prayoridad ng lahat. Naniniwala siya na hindi ito ang tamang panahon para sa mga gulo, lalo na’t may mga kababayan tayong nangangailangan ng agarang tulong at aksyon mula sa mga mambabatas.“
There is no publicly available video, official statement, or credible news report showing that the senator made any of those remarks.
These posts surfaced after Villanueva joined the majority bloc in the Senate on June 17. When asked about his reason for joining the majority, Villanueva only said that it was for work.
He attended a special session of the Senate and provided the crucial 13th vote, enabling the chamber to elect Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate President, effectively ending a three-week leadership dispute. Following this transition, Villanueva was designated as deputy majority leader.
The post by FB page BBM Supporters with 12,000 followers as of writing has so far garnered 1,254 reactions, six shares, and 287 comments.
