This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
The House panel orders Zuleika Lopez’s detention in their facility until November 25, the date of the next probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds
MANILA, Philippines – The House good government committee on Wednesday, November 20, cited in contempt and ordered the detention of Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, due to her “undue interference in proceedings.”
House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers made the motion, seconded by her colleagues, following Lopez’s letter to the Commission on Audit (COA) blocking the release of the confidential funds report to lawmakers.
Lopez tried to appeal to the panel to lift the contempt order, saying that the letter was a “respectful request to the Commission on Audit.”
“There was no intention, Your Honor, to demand, order, or commandeer them into doing something they did not want to do,” Lopez said. She was referring to the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) August 21 letter to COA, which instructed state auditors not to comply with a subpoena issued by a House committee requesting audit reports on the office’s use of confidential funds.
Lopez explained that she approached the matter from the perspective that the audit observations were not yet final. The letter, which she signed, stated that “the subject subpoena should not be complied with,” citing reasons such as violation of the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
Castro was not convinced by Lopez’s explanation, stating that the contempt citation was not only about the letter but also due to her supposed evasive answers during the probe. Lopez repeatedly claimed that she was unaware of the transactions involving the confidential funds, which baffled lawmakers given that she was Duterte’s highest-ranking official.
“The totality of the discussion from 10 o’clock up to now, nakita natin, Mr. Chair, very evasive ‘yung mga sagot ni Attorney Lopez. Tsaka nakita talaga natin na itong letter na ito, hindi lang itong letter na ito, Mr. Chair, ‘yung totality talaga ng mga discussions pa kanina, ‘yun ‘yung dahilan bakit natin siya gustong nag-move tayo to cite in contempt,” Castro explained.
(Based on the totality of the discussion from 10 am to now, Mr. Chair, we can see that Atty. Lopez’s answers have been very evasive. And we can clearly see that it’s not just this letter, Mr. Chair, but the entirety of the discussions earlier—that’s the reason why we moved to cite her in contempt.)
The House panel ordered Lopez’s detention in their facility until Monday, November 25, the date of the next probe into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, chairman of the congressional panel, instructed the House sergeant-at-arms to prepare a room for Lopez’s detention. Abang Lingkod Representative Caraps Paduano said that Lopez can appeal the contempt order, which she may do so on Thursday, November 21.
“That’s the right of every resource person and witnesses being cited in contempt… But of course, malinaw po na ‘yung ruling that it will be automatically lifted on Monday upon resumption of the hearing (the ruling is clear that it will be automatically lifted on Monday upon resumption of the hearing.)
In a press briefing on October 18, Duterte said she herself will join her staff in case the House panel decides to detain them.
“Basta sinabihan ko sila, I’ll be with you every step of the way. Sinabihan ko din sila, kung desisyon mo magpa-detain, sasamahan kita duon sa loob ng detention,” she said.
(I told them, I’ll be with you every step of the way. I also told them, if your decision is to be detained, I will accompany you inside the detention.)
Rappler has reached out to the OVP for a statement regarding Lopez’s detention, but they have yet to respond as of this posting. – Rappler.com
