Vice President Sara Duterte defended the four executives of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), who were cited for contempt and ordered arrested by the House committee on good government and public accountability on Monday (Nov. 11) for skipping the inquiry on the alleged misuse of government funds.
While there were OVP personnel who attended the probe, there were those who were not able to make it since they have to take care of the preparations for the OVP’s 89th anniversary.
“Meron natatawag doon na hindi naka attend dahil sa activities ng OVP anniversary on Nov. 15, 89 years. Maraming mga personnel galing sa central office nagpunta sa satellite offices,” Duterte said in a press conference at the OVP satellite office in Bacolod City Monday afternoon.
Those cited for contempt were Lemuel Ortonio, OVP assistant chief of staff and chairman of Bids and Awards Committee; Sunshine Charry Fajarda, former assistant secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd); special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, who transferred to the OVP after Duterte resigned as DepEd chief last July; and special disbursing officer Gina Acosta.
The four, in the letters addressed to the committee, stated they were unable to attend because the OVP activities in Caraga, Panay Island, and Negros Island that require their personal presence and are supported by official travel orders.
Duterte said that in her office, they support what the personnel prefer to do and when they decide to attend the House hearing, the OVP will provide them the necessary support or assistance.
She added that while she doesn’t have any problem with the attacks against her, which is part of the territory of being in politics, she feels bad that people who are just doing their job as OVP personnel, are being dragged into the issue.
The vice president added that from the start, she has been saying that the House hearings are “politically-motivated”.
“Wala talaga silang evidence of wrongdoing. Doon masakit ang loob ko, ang problema ay nadadamay yung mga tao na wala namang ginagawa kundi nagtatrabaho lang sa OVP,” she added. ||
