BI to implement travel watch order vs. 7 OVP officials

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

In a statement on Friday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they immediately included the names of the seven officials in their centralized database after the order was received on Nov. 6. (PNA file photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has received a copy of the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued against seven officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

In a statement on Friday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they immediately included the names of the seven officials in their centralized database after the order was received on Nov. 6.

The ILBO is an order issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for immigration officers to closely monitor the travel of subject individuals.

Included in the order are OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, assistant chief of staff and bids and awards committee chairperson 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 assistant secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda, who is now with the OVP.

The issuance of the order came after the request of the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to the DOJ, citing a subpoena ad testificandum for their continued refusal to attend the congressional inquiry.

The ILBO is for monitoring purposes only and is not sufficient to prohibit the subjects’ departure from the Philippines.

If encountered, immigration officers are instructed to promptly relay to the DOJ and the House of Representatives any pertinent information regarding the travel and to check if there are newly issued orders against the subjects.

Viado said the order has been disseminated to all airports and sea ports nationwide.