Ombudsman

"Failure to file counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as waiver of respondents' right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly," the ombudsman's order read.

- 

committee report transmitted by the House committee on good government and public accountability. "Thereafter, this case shall be deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties, whose presence may be dispensed with, unless otherwise required for clarificatory questioning. No motion to dismiss or bill of particulars shall be entertained," it added.

The order was signed by assistant ombudsman Nellie Boguen-Golez, the designated chairperson of the special panel of investigators. The ombudsman's investigation stemmed from Committee Report No. 1503 resulting from the House's several hearings on the OVP and DepEd's alleged misuse of confidential funds.