13 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas
4 OVP brass cited in contempt, ordered detained
By Nidz Godino
“For all we know, she could be somebody posing for somebody, and committee cannot act on mere presentation without proper representation to said committee,” Deputy Speaker David Suarez was willing to extend “little bit more understanding” and accepted Lopez’s excuse as stated in her letter, “but only until our next hearing.” Excuses other OVP officials gave were “unacceptable.”
Four officials of the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte-Carpio have been cited in contempt by panel of House of Representatives for again failing to personally appear at hearing on questionable disbursement of her intelligence and confidential funds.
Rep. Joel Chua, chairman of House committee on good government and public accountability, approved at yesterday’s hearing motion of Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop to cite OVP officials in contempt.
OVP officials, all trusted aides of Duterte, were ordered detained for repeatedly defying summonses to attend inquiry into alleged mishandling of government funds, specifically confidential and intelligence funds, by Duterte.
Officials are assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio, special disbursement officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, and spouses Edward and Sunshine Charry Fajarda, SDO and assistant secretary of the Department of Education when Duterte was still education secretary.
Lawyer Zuleika Lopez, Duterte’s chief of staff, was spared from contempt charges after she informed lawmakers in letter that she is in Los Angeles caring for her sick aunt.
Lawmakers expressed doubt on Lopez’s excuse and re-issued another subpoena.
Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan advised Lopez to grab opportunity to defend herself and appear before congressional hearings at soonest time possible, as the Chua committee continues to investigate alleged misuse of public funds of OVP.
“Normally, individuals who are blameless, when asked to explain, would seize first available occasion to clear themselves of any wrongdoing,” Libanan, who represents party-list 4Ps, said in statement.
Acop, retired police general also lawyer by profession, moved to detain officials at House premises until inquiry concludes and committee report is submitted for plenary approval.
Four other OVP officials attended yesterday’s hearing: administrative and financial services director Rosalynne Sanchez, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey, budget division chief Edelyn Rabago and chief administrative officer Kelvin Gerome Teñido.
Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez questioned Lopez’s explanation, calling it “clear evasion” and sought validation of her excuse to skip hearing. “Testimony of Ms. Zuleika Lopez is crucial…if we allow her excuse, other resource persons might follow…they can run, but they cannot hide anymore,” he said.
Also at yesterday’s hearing, “uninvited” OVP official showed up but refused to speak under oath when asked to say her piece.
Committee chairman Chua sought to dismiss from hearing Emily Torrentira, purportedly chief of OVP legal affairs department, for failing to show authorization to represent OVP, as reported by committee secretary Sheryl Cristine Lagrosas.
During Sept. 18 hearing of committee, the Vice President herself refused to take oath.
“Number one, she was not invited to attend today’s hearing…number two, she did not take her oath, so we don’t even know personalities and circumstances as to why she is here, and no communication was forwarded to committee as to her attendance,” he stressed.
Torrentira, meanwhile, explained her reason for not taking oath. “No, your Honor, I am not refusing to take oath…prior to being asked to take oath, I was trying to explain that I am not invited resource person,” she said.
“I’ve only been asked now to explain why there was no receipt of subpoena for persons who are not present here…that is what I have been trying to say,” she said, adding that based on Rules of Court, “personal service must be made to resource persons who are being issued subpoena.”
“They being not present in the office at that time, no person can receive on their behalf and hence there will be no proper service,” she said.
Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list), chairman of House committee on public accounts, said Torrentira’s refusal to take oath was show of disrespect.
“May I ask the good attorney, what is your role in this, you were not invited but you are present in today’s hearing but you never take your oath…why…what is your presence here for?” he asked, to which she replied: “I am the chief of legal affairs of OVP… I am here to represent institution.”
“So you are here to represent the institution…you should, before talking, you should take your oath…because that is on record…you’re lawyer, you know that, you cannot speak unless until you take your oath…that’s rule, internal rules of this House and of this committee,” Paduano insisted.
“You can’t speak unless you take your oath, or else I will move to excuse you from this room.
ISKUP! 