Villanueva is running for senator under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid at the 2016 senatorial elections.
On November 14, 2016 Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the dismissal from the public service of the Senator for "grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service" over alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund during his tenure as a congressman.