Office of the Vice President logo and Vice President Sara Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on good government on Tuesday issued another subpoena to seven officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) who were linked to the alleged misuse of government funds under Vice President Sara Duterte’s watch.

This time, panel chair and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua warned the resource persons that a “much heavier penalty” awaits them if they opt to skip the ongoing probe.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We will just reissue another subpoena with a stern warning that the next time they fail to attend we will be constrained to a issue much heavier penalty,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Pagasa releases 11 pm update on Typhoon Marce NEWSINFO Typhoon Marce expected to intensify before landfall Thursday NEWSINFO SC fines Antipolo judge for delaying to resolve a case

All seven did not show up during the panel’s hearing on Tuesday. They are the following:

OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez Assistant Chief of Staff and Bids and Awards Committee Chair Lemuel Ortonio Administrative and Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta Chief Accountant Juleita Villadelrey former Department of Education Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda SDO Edward Fajarda.

READ: House: 1 of 7 OVP officials linked to alleged fund misuse left PH

Article continues after this advertisement

During the Tuesday hearing, lawmakers learned that Lopez left the country on Monday night for Los Angeles, California.

Article continues after this advertisement

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano made the motion to issue another subpoena to OVP officials, which Deputy Speaker David Suarez seconded.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. appealed to the OVP officials to attend the hearing and answer their questions related to the OVP’s alleged mismanagement of funds.

Article continues after this advertisement

The panel also issued a subpoena to two more OVP officials, Budget Division chief Edelyn Rabago and Chief Administrative Officer Kelvin Gerome Teñido.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong believes their testimonies are crucial for the ongoing probe.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Adiong’s motion to include Tenido and Rabago in the subpoena came after House committee secretary  Sheryl Lagrosas revealed that the panel already invited them to the probe.

Under the rules of the lower chamber, Lagrosas said, the witnesses are allowed to have two unjustified absences. They only have to submit position papers about “refusing to attend.”

READ NEXT Public warned of possible toxic chemical leaks into Quezon river Michael Poa is no longer OVP spokesman; his consultancy contra... EDITORS' PICK Senate retains OVP’s proposed P733-M budget Two Fil-Ams poised to make history in California legislature LIVE UPDATES: 2024 US presidential election Harris or Trump? Millions vote in tense, tight US election EDITORIAL: Improving disaster response 2.14M Fil-Am voters crucial in battleground states MOST READ Chinese ships seen again at Philippine Rise COA: OVP sent deficient receipts on secret funds SC fines Antipolo judge for delaying to resolve a case CA cites double jeopardyfalcon play, upholds libel acquittal of ABS-CBN execs Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• House
• issues
• Panel
• falcon play
• subpoena