House panel seeks lookout bulletin on 7 OVP officials

Metro Manila, Philippines — A House panel has asked the Justice Department to monitor the movements of seven Office of the Vice President (OVP) officials should they exit the country in light of their repeated absences in a congressional inquiry on confidential funds.

The House committee on good government and public accountability, chaired by Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, has been looking into the supposed mismanagement of Vice President Sara Duterte’s government funds – both in the OVP and the Education Department, which she previously led.

Chua wrote a letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, requesting the issuance of the immigration lookout bulletin order on:

- OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez

- assistant chief of staff and bids and awards committee chairman Lemuel Ortonio

- administrative and financial services director Rosalynne Sanchez

- OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta

- chief accountant Juleita Villadelrey

- former Education Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda

- former Education special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda

The Fajarda couple is now with the OVP.

Chua said the committee received information that the officials may flee the country.

“Considering these developments, I earnestly request your office to issue a Lookout Bulletin Order against these personalities,” Chua’s letter to Remulla read.

“This action is imperative to monitor their movements and prevent any potential attempt to flee the country, which could significantly hinder our investigation and broader efforts to uphold the integrity of public service,” he said.

The Commission on Audit disallowed around ₱73 million out of the OVP’s ₱125-million confidential funds in 2022. Meanwhile, ₱112.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Education Department remain unaccounted for.

NewsWatch Plus Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.