By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Today, four officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), already cited in contempt and facing arrest orders, have once again defied the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability by refusing to attend its ongoing inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds under Vice President Sara Duterte.

Their continued defiance of the panel, also known as the House Blue Ribbon Committee, sparked outrage among lawmakers, who called for immediate action by law enforcement agencies to enforce the arrest orders against the officials.

The officials—OVP assistant chief of staff and Bids and Awards Committee chair Lemuel Ortonio, Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, former Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda, and SDO Edward Fajarda—cited “official travel” as their reason for skipping the hearing, according to communications submitted to the committee. 

The Fajardas had transferred to the OVP after Vice President Duterte stepped down as DepEd secretary in July.

“This is already our sixth hearing. They were given six opportunities to attend. Regardless of their excuse, I don’t find it justifiable,” House Committee Chair and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said.

Acting on a motion by House Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora, the committee resolved to work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to execute the arrest orders and turn over the four officials to the House of Representatives; they also approved Zamora’s motion to forward the contempt and arrest orders to the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the officials from fleeing the country.

The decision followed a report from the House Legislative Service Bureau, headed by the Sergeant-at-Arms, stating that the arrest orders had not been served because the OVP legal office claimed the officials were on official travel.

The committee secretariat confirmed that the orders had been transmitted to National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, as well as the heads of the Mandaluyong City Police and Eastern Police District.

Rogue officials now under closer surveillance by authorities

The OVP officials under contempt and arrest orders have already been placed on an immigration lookout bulletin, along with OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez, and Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, who have already appeared before the committee after multiple invitations and [subpoenas].

In addition to the existing arrest orders, the committee cited Ortonio in contempt anew for “disrespecting” lawmakers by continuing to defy the arrest and contempt orders. 

Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon moved to cite Ortonio in contempt again, with the committee approving Bongalon’s motion to detain Ortonio at the Bicutan prison for 10 days upon his arrest.

Likewise, Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez expressed frustration over the officials’ continued absence, urging the committee to explore administrative sanctions against them for defying lawful orders.

“Tinitingnan ko po ang batas tungkol sa mga government officials, talagang tungkulin po nila na humarap sa ganitong pagdinig,” Suarez said.

“At kung patuloy po silang umiiwas—hindi pupunta, hindi dadalo, at gagawa ng kung anong dahilan—dapat pag-aralan ng komite ang kasong administratibo na pwedeng isampa sa kanila dahil hindi po ito sumusunod sa alituntunin ng lingkod-bayan.” he further explained.

The four officials, identified as part of the Vice President’s “inner circle,” are critical to the investigation into the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP. 

These funds were disbursed in four installments of P125 million each, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022 and extending through the first three quarters of 2023.

The Commission on Audit flagged nearly half of the initial P125 million, disallowing P73 million spent by the OVP in just 11 days in late 2022. Audit observation memorandums were also issued for the remaining P375 million spent in 2023, citing multiple irregularities.

The panel is also investigating alleged anomalies in the P112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the DepEd in 2023 when it was still led by Vice President Duterte. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)

-av