They were just doing their job - VP Sara

They were "merely doing their jobs," Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday, in defense of her four officials who were cited in contempt and ordered detained by a House panel for again skipping a hearing on her alleged misuse of funds, especially her confidential and intelligence funds.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

At a press conference in Bacolod City, Duterte slammed members of the committee on good government and public accountability of the House of Representatives for citing in contempt the OVP officials - special disbursement officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, SDO Sunshine Fajarda, education assistant secretary Edward Fajarda and assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio.

"I have no qualms if they're trying to dismantle me. My problem is they're dragging people into their agenda when all they've ever done is to work at the OVP," Duterte said.

The Vice President said the officials of the OVP's central office were busy arranging the thanksgiving activities at satellite offices nationwide for the OVP's 89th anniversary this week.

"Those who were unable to attend were preparing the activities for the OVP's anniversary. So, many personalities in the central office went to satellite offices because we have various thanksgiving activities for the anniversary in all the different satellite offices," she added.

Duterte assured her officials facing sanctions of her full support.

Asked whether she would attend future hearings on her public spending, Duterte said she was now focused on the OVP's anniversary activities this year and next year for the 90th anniversary.