House committee reissues subpoena to seven OVP officials for fourth time

The House committee on good government reissued a subpoena ad testificandum to seven officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) after they failed to appear for the fourth time in Tuesday's hearing.

Committee chair Rep. Joel Chua warned that another absence could result in more severe consequences, including contempt charges and possible arrest.

The OVP officials include Undersecretary and chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, who left for Los Angeles on Monday night, assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio, Administrative and Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez, Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey, and former DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda.

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano cited the three-day rule under which a subpoena must be issued and received three days prior to a hearing for the reissuing of the subpoenas.

The committee is investigating alleged misuse of PHP500 million in confidential intelligence funds and an additional PHP112.5 million from DepEd, with the Commission on Audit flagging almost half as disallowed.

Former OVP spokesperson Michael Poa informed the panel that he is no longer connected to the Office of the Vice President after his consultancy contract was pre-terminated.

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