MANILA — The House of Representatives received a subpoena from the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of former House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada.

The subpoena, received by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil at 10:38 a.m., requests certified copies of all SALNs of Gabonada from the start of his tenure in the House up to the present, along with a certification under oath from the records custodian confirming the authenticity of the documents.

This development follows a warning from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla regarding repeated non-compliance with previous requests for Gabonada’s SALNs in connection with an investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

The subpoena cites Section 13, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution and Section 15.8 of Republic Act 6770 (The Ombudsman Act of 1989) and directs the House to submit the requested documents within three days. It also requires an explanation under oath if any records are unavailable.

“Failure to comply within the period stated in this subpoena will merit the filing of criminal charges…as well as administrative charges,” the document read, citing Article 233 of the Revised Penal Code, Presidential Decree No. 1829, and provisions under RA 6770.

Gabonada served as House Deputy Secretary General during the tenure of former Speaker Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez from 2022 to 2025. The SALNs are considered a critical component in assessing potential undeclared wealth or financial irregularities linked to the alleged flood control project anomalies.