House panel issues another contempt order vs OVP exec for skipping budget probe

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Wednesday issued another contempt order against an official of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for again failing to attend its inquiry into the office’s use of its budget.

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon moved to cite Lemuel Ortonio in contempt for supposedly acting in a disrespectful manner toward the committee. 

This was after Bongalon read Ortonio’s letter to the committee where the OVP official requested the lifting of an earlier contempt order against him. 

“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.

“Number one, he is aware that there will be a committee hearing today… and that the excuse he offered in this letter is not a valid one. And for me, Mr. Chair, this is a continued defiance of a lawful order of this committee and it is a sign of disrespect,” he added.

"Duly seconded. Is there any objection to the motion? Hearing none, the motion is carried," said Manila Representative Joel Chua, who chairs the committee.

Bongalon also moved for Ortonio to be detained at the Bicutan jail in Taguig for 10 days.

The House panel had previously issued a contempt order against Ortonio, Gina Acosta, Edward Fajarda, and Sunshine Fajarda for skipping the hearing despite formal invitations.

According to the committee secretary, these four individuals have yet to receive the order as they are on official travel.

Bongalon said letters signed by Acosta, Edward Fajarda, and Sunshine Fajarda indicated that they could not attend the hearings as they are on official business.

When asked, the committee secretary said that there was no proof of official business or official travel attached to the letters.

“In other words, this one-pager document is a mere scrap of paper. We can always offer an excuse stating this. But as an official, we have to convince this committee that indeed on this particular date that they are on official business,” Bongalon said.

“I move that the committee only note this letter and cannot be acted upon as an excuse for their absence in today’s committee hearing,” the lawmaker added.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against seven OVP officials, including Ortonio, Acosta, and the two Fajardas. —KBK, GMA Integrated News