FACT CHECK: Fr. Flavie Villanueva is still a priest, not defrocked

Claim: Catholic priest Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva was removed from his priestly duties for allegedly receiving suitcases of money sourced from public funds and misappropriating billions of pesos. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim has 4,500 views, 334 likes, and 72 comments as of writing. It was uploaded on a YouTube channel claiming to be a news outlet, which has 169,000 subscribers.

The title in the video states: “Nakarma na! Father Flavie wala ng takas! Tanggal na sa pagka-pari? Bilyong nakaw na pera nabulabog na?“

(You’re caught now! Nowhere to go for Father Flavie! Removed from the priesthood? Has the billions in stolen money already been exposed?)

In the video, the narrator alleges that Villanueva received large sums of money sourced from public funds. These claims echo statements made by 18 alleged former marines, who said they served as “bagmen” for former lawmaker Zaldy Co. 

The facts: Despite circulating claims, Villanueva has not been defrocked and remains a Catholic priest. In the Philippines, the Catholic Church strictly follows Vatican canon law, under which only the Pope has the authority to formally remove a priest from the clerical state, a process officially called laicization. Local dioceses or civil authorities may suspend a priest from ministry or remove him from active duties, but these administrative measures do not permanently strip a priest of his clerical status.

The canonical process for laicization begins with a diocesan investigation into allegations, where a tribunal reviews evidence and allows the priest to present a defense. The case is then referred to the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy, which examines the documentation and decides whether to recommend laicization. The final decision rests solely with the Pope, who issues a rescript that formally removes the priest from the clerical state. Until such a rescript is issued, any suspension or removal from ministry is only temporary and administrative, not equivalent to defrocking.

In Villanueva’s case, there is no official statement, decree, or rescript from the Pope confirming laicization. No Vatican announcement or diocesan communication has indicated that he has been permanently dismissed from the priesthood. 

‘Filing of complaints’: Villanueva, along with Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, filed a perjury complaint with the Department of Justice and a cyber libel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the 18 alleged former marines and their lawyer,  Levito Baligod, on Monday, March 9. 

The complaints stemmed from the group’s allegations that De Lima and Villanueva supposedly received kickbacks from flood control projects. Baligod later admitted an “oversight” in naming De Lima but maintained she allegedly attended meetings involving cash transfers.

De Lima called the filings a move to defend her reputation against repeated smear campaigns, while Villanueva said the complaints aim to stop lies and affirm the truth, particularly regarding claims about funds for his Bahay Kalinga operations.

The NBI has already subpoenaed Baligod and the 18 alleged ex-marines. Baligod also implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House speaker Martin Romualdez, allegations which Malacañang dismissed as a “lousy script.” – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.

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