Six officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) have been issued subpoenas by the House Good Government and Public Accountability Committee after they failed to attend the committee’s deliberation on the use of OVP funds.
The officials include Chief-of-Staff Zuleika Lopez, Atty. Lemuel Ortonio, Atty. Rosalynne Sanchez, Gina Acosta, Julieta Villadelrey, and Edward Fajarda.
Committee Chairman Manila Rep. Joel Chua also moved for the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the six OVP officials, instructing immigration officers to alert authorities if they attempt to leave the country.
In response, the OVP submitted a position paper signed by 19 officials, asserting that the inquiry is not “in aid of legislation.”
The OVP argued that the deliberation is unnecessary, claiming that there is no need for OVP officials to attend since Vice President Sara Duterte already discussed the OVP’s 2025 proposed budget during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on August 27.
The OVP also criticized the lack of a clear legislative objective, stating that no specific legislation or outcome was expected from the deliberations.
The position paper emphasized that the Committee on Appropriations, which has jurisdiction over government spending, had already terminated its hearings.
Additionally, the OVP cited a Supreme Court ruling that resource persons cannot be compelled to attend congressional hearings and have the right to refuse.
The OVP also stated that it cannot comment on issues related to OVP funds currently pending before the Supreme Court, as doing so might affect the administration of justice.