Lookout bulletin issued vs 7 OVP, DepEd execs

Six officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and a former education official have been placed under an immigration lookout bulletin (ILBO).

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed on Nov. 6 the ILBO against OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, assistant chief of staff and bids and awards committee chairman Lemuel Ortonio, administrative and financial services director Rosalynne Sanchez, special disbursing officers Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey and former Department of Education (DepEd) assistant secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda.

The seven have ignored subpoenas from the House committee on good government and public accountability investigating the alleged misuse of funds of the OVP and DepEd under Vice President Sara Duterte.

An ILBO instructs immigration officers to alert authorities should the subjects attempt to leave the country. But it does not prevent them from leaving.

Only a hold-departure order and a warrant of arrest issued by the courts can prevent an accused from leaving the country.

"The ILBO is not a restriction to their right to travel, but merely a monitoring mechanism by which we can see if they left or enter the country," Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mico Clavano said.

The ILBO has been forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for implementation.

However, BI spokesperson Dana Sandova said the bureau had not yet received a copy of the ILBO as of past 5 p.m. yesterday.

"Personal trip" The OVP yesterday said chief of staff Lopez left the country for a "personal trip" that was approved by the Vice President. Lopez is expected to return on Nov. 16.

"The OVP chief of staff's travel was personal and unrelated to her employment with the OVP," the OVP said in a statement. "Usec. Lopez appropriately submitted documents required of traveling government officials, which were approved by the Vice President."

"Speculations about the purpose of this travel are unfounded and unnecessary. We request to respect the privacy of the family on this difficult time," the OVP added.