FOUR subpoenaed employees of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) finally appeared on Monday at the House inquiry into the use of confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure.
Lemuel Ortonio, Gina Acosta, Sunshine Fajarda, and Eduard Fajarda, accompanied by their legal counsel, attended the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing after being previously cited in contempt.
Their attendance came amid warnings of potential arrest warrants for repeatedly skipping the proceedings.
The committee, chaired by Manila Representative Joel Chua, is investigating the disbursement of over ₱612 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP and DepEd under Duterte’s leadership.
Rep. Chua revealed that the four employees sent “feelers” about their attendance on Sunday, signaling their willingness to appear after weeks of defiance.
Lawmakers previously cautioned that continued refusal to comply with subpoenas could lead to criminal and administrative charges.
The hearing on Monday, however, proceeded without OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, who remains confined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) due to “acute stress disorder.”
Lopez’s condition followed a tense standoff at the Batasan Pambansa Complex over the weekend.
Vice President Sara Duterte made a surprise appearance at the hearing, further drawing attention to the controversy surrounding the use of confidential funds during her time at the helm of both the OVP and DepEd.
Her presence underscored the significance of the ongoing investigation as the committee seeks answers on the matter.