THE House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Wednesday issued another contempt order against Lemuel Ortonio, an official from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), for failing to attend its ongoing inquiry into the office’s budget utilization.
Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon pushed for the contempt motion after accusing Ortonio of showing “disrespect” to the committee. Bongalon cited a letter from Ortonio requesting the lifting of a prior contempt order against him but providing no valid excuse for his absence from the day’s hearing.
“With this assurance for him to participate in today’s committee hearing, may I move once more, Mr. Chair, that Mr. Lemuel Ortonio be cited in contempt,” Bongalon said. He added that Ortonio’s actions reflected “continued defiance of a lawful order” and a “sign of disrespect.”
Manila Representative Joel Chua, the committee chair, approved the motion after no objections were raised. Bongalon further recommended that Ortonio be detained at the Bicutan jail in Taguig for 10 days.
Previous Contempt Orders Unaddressed
The House panel had earlier issued contempt orders against Ortonio, Gina Acosta, Edward Fajarda, and Sunshine Fajarda for failing to appear despite being formally invited. According to the committee secretary, the four officials have yet to receive these orders as they are reportedly on official travel.
In their absence, letters signed by Acosta, Edward Fajarda, and Sunshine Fajarda were submitted to the committee, claiming they were on official business. However, the committee secretary confirmed that no evidence of official business or travel was attached to these letters.
“In other words, this one-pager document is a mere scrap of paper,” Bongalon remarked, adding that public officials are obligated to substantiate claims of official engagements. He moved for the committee to merely note the letters without recognizing them as valid excuses.
DOJ Issues Immigration Watch
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) for seven OVP officials, including Ortonio, Acosta, and the two Fajardas. The bulletin aims to monitor the movement of these individuals amid the ongoing inquiry.
The House hearings continue to focus on the OVP’s budgetary practices, with mounting pressure on absent officials to provide transparency and accountability.