DOJ issues lookout bulletin vs 7 OVP officials

FILE PHOTO VP Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against the seven Office of the Vice President (OVP) officials who skipped the House of Representatives’ hearing on alleged fund misuse.

According to DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano, the agency approved the request by the House committee on good government and public accountability, which is currently investigating the utilization of the OVP budget.

“Secretary [Jesus Crispin Remulla] has just signed the immigration lookout bulletin order, which now will allow the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to monitor the travel of the seven OVP officials,” Clavano said in a chance interview.

Clavano, however, clarified that an Ilbo does not restrict the seven OVP officials’ right to travel and is merely a “monitoring mechanism.”

“The effect of an Ilbo is just to monitor people who leave and enter the country. If your name is listed on the Ilbo, it means it will ping in the system and inform the BI and DOJ,” he explained in Filipino.

“To issue an Ilbo—it does not, by any stretch of imagination, force them to attend a particular hearing whether it be the Congress, Senate or in Court,” he added.

Asked if a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) would also be issued against the OVP officials, Clavano responded in the negative.

READ: House panel issues subpoena to OVP officials anew

“There is no PHDO because none of the officials are facing a criminal case. A PHDO is only granted by the courts if there is a pending case already,” Clavano said.

He also said the DOJ would be open to sharing Ilbo alerts with the House upon the lower chamber’s request.