MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Jose “Joe” Malvar Villegas Jr., founder and chairman emeritus of the Citizens Crime Watch, one of the oldest anti-crime groups in the country, and grandson of national hero Miguel Malvar, died of COVID-19 last Oct. 31. He was 84.
A crusader against corruption, Villegas also founded the Katipunan Kontra Krimen at Korapsyon. He was one of the lawyers who won the case against “pork barrel.” He filed cases against corrupt government officials and helped overseast Filipino workers, farmers and rape victims in their fight for justice.
In 2016, he worked for clean and honest elections by organizing Kontra Daya.
He received the Gawad Plaridel Award for his campaign against crime and graft and corruption in 2019.
During former president Fidel Ramos’ administration, Villegas served as vice chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
He also became a board member of Batangas and Quezon City councilor.
He was likewise the chairman and president of the Labor Party of the Philippines, the fifth major political party in the country.
At the time of his death, he was producing the movie “Malvar,” with Sen. Manny Pacquiao in the lead role.
Villegas is survived by his wife Cynthia, daughter Ginny, brother Bernardo (founder of the Center for Research and Comunications/University of Asia and the Pacific) and sisters Tessie and Rhina.
His remains were interred last Nov. 3 at Malvar mausoleum, Sto. Tomas Cemetery in Batangas.