Fact Check: No Basis for Claims of Villar Siblings, Padilla Arrest to Force VP Sara's Ouster

Claims circulating on social media that Senators Mark and Camille Villar, along with Senator Robin Padilla, are set to be arrested to force the ouster of Vice President Sara Duterte have been debunked as false by Rappler's fact-check. The misinformation originated from a YouTube video posted on September 21 by the channel “News Update Files.” Its thumbnail featured images of the three senators with text asking, “3 senators about to be jailed? Jail them to oust VP Sara?” and “Minority bloc, reduced yet again.” The video’s title read, “By force now! Villar siblings and Senator Padilla about to be jailed? Jailed even without a case?” The video appears to imply that the three senators are set to be arrested to further reduce the number of senator-judges voting in Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial. As of writing, the video has garnered nearly 6,000 views and over 400 likes. However, there are no arrest orders against the Villar siblings. While the Villars face graft complaints, these have not yet reached the courts. These complaints concern PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation’s agreements with local water districts and have no connection to Duterte’s impeachment trial. On September 18, the Office of the Ombudsman filed criminal and administrative complaints against Senators Mark and Camille Villar, former senators Manny and Cynthia Villar, and businessman Paolo Villar. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the complaints concern allegations that PrimeWater failed to meet its obligations to some water districts. The complaints are currently under preliminary investigation, meaning no charges have been filed in court and no one has been arrested or detained as prosecutors have yet to determine if there’s enough evidence against the respondents. Padilla is not among the respondents in the Ombudsman complaints. His connection to the misleading video’s narrative appears to come from a separate announcement that he does not intend to seek reelection in 2028. He does, however, face a separate obstruction of justice complaint over his alleged role in helping Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa evade authorities. The Department of Justice has subpoenaed Padilla to appear before prosecutors on September 25 and October 9. Padilla has denied helping Dela Rosa escape and said he would attend the proceedings. The video offers no evidence linking the Villar graft complaints or Padilla’s obstruction of justice complaint to Duterte’s impeachment trial, or showing that either was filed to influence how senators vote. VP trial: The three senators are among the senator-judges in Duterte’s impeachment trial. The Senate recently voted to lower the voting threshold for convicting the Vice President. Senators Camille Villar and Robin Padilla did not participate in the voting, while Senator Mark Villar voted yes to lowering the threshold. (READ: A Villar split: Why is Mark Villar breaking ranks with sister Camille?) Duterte faces four articles of impeachment covering allegations including misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.