4 OVP execs cited in contempt, ordered detained

Screen grab from a live broadcast on the Facebook page of the Office of the Vice President shows Sara Duterte answering questions from local reporters during a press briefing in Bacolod City yesterday.

-  DELON PORCALLA

Four officials of the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte have been cited in contempt by a panel of the House of Representatives for again failing to personally appear at a hearing on the questionable disbursement of her intelligence and confidential funds.

Rep. Joel Chua, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, approved at yesterday's hearing the motion of Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop to cite the OVP officials in contempt.

The OVP officials, all trusted aides of Duterte, were ordered detained for repeatedly defying summonses to attend an inquiry into the alleged mishandling of government funds, specifically confidential and intelligence funds, by Duterte.

The 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 the contempt charges after she informed lawmakers - in a letter - that she is in Los Angeles caring for her sick aunt.

Lawmakers doubted Lopez's excuse and issued another subpoena.

Duterte, in a press conference, said the OVP officials' trips overseas were legitimate.