Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Says Detained Chief-of-Staff Wants Her To Stay w/ Her
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President requested the House committee if she can join her detained Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief-of-staff, Attorney Zuleika Lopez.
Vice Pres. Duterte refused to attend the November 20 hearing conducted by the House panel over the use of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) budget. Meanwhile, several officials of the OVP appeared at the hearing.
However, at the hearing, OVP chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Gerome Tenido, Director for Administrative and Finance Services Rosalynne Sanchez, and Budget Division officer-in-charge Edelyn Rabago denied playing roles in the release of the OVP Confidential Funds.
The House panel cited Atty. Zuleika Lopez in contempt for her supposed “undue interference”. The committee ordered her detention at the House until Monday, November 25. The Vice President was quick to visit her office’s chief-of-staff.
Duterte reportedly arrived at the House at around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday. She talked to Atty. Lopez at the Visitors’ Center until 10:00 p.m. After it, she went to the office of Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte and spent the night at her brother’s office.
Based on a report on GMA News, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte requested the House committee if she could join Atty. Zuleika Lopez in detention. However, the request of the Vice President was turned down as she is not covered by the detention order.
Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte also asked the House panel if Atty. Lopez can stay at his congressional office instead of staying at the detention center of the House. Based on the report, the House panel declined the request of the Davao City Lawmaker.
Thus, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte accepted Congressman Duterte’s offer instead so it would be easier for her to visit Atty. Zuleika Lopez. Based on the report, in a news conference via Zoom, the Vice President said that her chief-of-staff has health issues and wants her to accompany her during detention for her peace of mind.
“So may mga nararamdaman siya healthwise. Ang gusto niya kasi talaga sana is for her peace of mind, samahan ko siya doon para makatulog siya. But the best alternative at this point is for me to stay dito sa office ni Cong. Pulong,” the Vice President said.
During the news conference, Vice Pres. Duterte claimed that she intended to stay at the House of Representatives until after New Year. According to her, she already asked for a rope which she can use in hanging her clothes after laundry. Lopez was also provided WiFi so she can continue her work during detention.