Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) for seven officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP). This action, requested by the House of Representatives, is part of an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds within the office.

According to Philippines News Agency, the officials included in the ILBO are Zuleika Lopez, OVP chief of staff; Lemuel Ortonio, assistant chief of staff and bids and awards committee chairperson; Rosalynne Sanchez, administrative and financial services director; Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda, special disbursing officers; Julieta Villadelrey, chief accountant; and Sunshine Charry Fajarda, former Department of Education assistant secretary now with the OVP. DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano clarified that the ILBO aims to monitor the individuals’ whereabouts rather than restrict their travel and will be forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration for implementation.

The request for the ILBO originated from Manila 3rd Distr
ict Representative Joel Chua, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. Chua noted that the officials had previously ignored invitations and subpoenas from the panel and mentioned receiving information about their possible plans to leave the country. Reports indicate that Zuleika Lopez had already departed on an official trip.

The House inquiry follows a speech by Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano, who accused Vice President Sara Duterte of fund mismanagement in the OVP. The Commission on Audit (COA) found that over PHP73 million of the PHP125 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP in 2022 was disallowed. This amount was reportedly spent within 11 days, averaging over PHP11 million per day. In its Notice of Disallowance, the COA demanded that Duterte, along with officials Acosta and Villadelrey, return the disallowed funds to the government.