Hontiveros, Villanueva Admit 'Shabu Middleman' Kenneth Dong as Campaign Donor, 3 Other Senators Linked

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva admitted that both of them received campaign money from Kenneth Dong, or Dong Yi Shen Xi, a Filipino-Chinese businessman who allegedly acted as middleman in the shipment of P6.4 billion worth of shabu into the country. At the same time, three other senators also admitted their links with him.



"Noong 2013, ako, kasama ng mga kapwa ko senador gaya nina Senators Migz Zubiri, Kiko Pangilinan at Ralph Recto, ay naimbitahan mag-ninong at ninang sa kanyang kasal. Kaya’t pare-pareho kaming nagulat ng mabanggit ang kanyang pangalan sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing." Senator Hontiveros was quoted in a statement, Wednesday.

According to Sen. Hontiveros, she met Kenneth Dong back in 2012, and was introduced to her as a legitimate businessman selling industrial weighing scales. The Akbayan senator did not mention how much the Cebu-based businessman donated for her senatorial campaign, but noted that he also helped her in her relief operations for the Yolanda victims.

On the other hand, Sen. Joel Villanueva admitted that Dong contributed P3 million for his senatorial campaign, but emphasized that he do not know him personally. The former TESDA head said that it was his campaign team that received the money, noting that he never had a personal interaction with him, and has never talked with on the phone.

"I met Mr. Kenneth Dong when I was invited to grace the opening of the 1st International Agriculture and Tourism Expo on June 30, 2011 at the World Trade Center. We talked about the agricultural programs of TESDA being the agency’s director general at the time. I barely know him. My conscience is clear." Sen. Villanueva said in a statement.



Meanwhile, senators Pangilinan, Recto and Zuburi also admitted posting as primary sponsors on Dong's wedding. Nevertheless, all of the 5 senators emphasized that they will never condone any illegal act, especially if it involves illegal drugs. They even urged him to tell the truth, and that he should faced the consequences if he will be proven guilty.

Contributed by Abner Esteno