12/06/2025
| Senator Joel Villanueva has received criticisms from netizens over a viral video where he was seen telling Sen. Imee Marcos to cut off Sen. Risa Hontiveros while the latter was explaining her motion for the senators to take their oath as impeachment judges on Tuesday for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
To recall, Marcos interjected while Hontiveros was still interpolating to oppose some of the points stated in the privilege speech of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa seeking the outright dismissal of the impeachment case against the Vice President.
In a video circulating online, Villanueva was seen telling Marcos to raise a point of order to stop Hontiveros from opposing the motion of Dela Rosa.
“Pwede ka na magsalita, actually. Pwede mo na sabihin sa mic yung point of order para tumigil siya,” Villanueva said.
Marcos then approached the podium, raised the point of order, cutting off Hontiveros, which prompted Senate President Chiz Escudero to suspend the session in order to ease the tension.
Some netizens didn't like what Villanueva did, describing him as "ill-mannered," "rude," "disrespectful," and "a fake follower of God."
He is the son of evangelist Eddie Villanueva, founder and spiritual director of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. Villanueva has yet to release any statement regarding this controversy.