A MEMBER of the House of Representatives’ “Young Guns” on Friday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision to spend the night at the House of Representatives to visit her detained chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.
Lopez was cited in contempt for allegedly intervening in Congress’s investigation into the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) use of confidential funds.
Rep. Jay Khonghun (1D Zambales) questioned Duterte’s actions, suggesting that her close proximity to Lopez might be an attempt to prevent disclosures about the OVP’s alleged malfeasance in the use of her confidential funds, similar to those made by former police official Royina Garma. Garma had previously revealed details about a reward system for police officers involved in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“What’s so special about the relationship between VP Sara to Atty Lopez? We can’t help but be suspicious of her motives of offering to join her chief of staff in detention. Or is this just for show, another attempt at heroics?,” Khonghun asked.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over potential breach of security protocols and the perceived disregard for institutional norms, saying, “Is this the Duterte brand? Ignoring all security protocols of any government agency just to satisfy a whim? Can that be done in their offices at the Office of the Vice President? Why is their behavior bereft of respect? Why act like a brat?”
The solon reminded the Vice President of her duty to uphold the law and serve as a role model for citizens, questioning the message conveyed by her actions.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that Duterte arrived at the Batasan complex around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday and met with Lopez at the visitors’ center, as visiting hours had ended. Duterte and her security detail stayed overnight in the office of her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Lopez’s detention stems from her confirmation of signing a letter requesting state auditors not to comply with a House appropriations panel subpoena concerning audit reports on the OVP’s and the Department of Education’s confidential fund usage in 2022 and 2023. She is to remain detained until Monday, Nov. 25, when the House committee resumes its investigation.
Vice President Duterte has maintained that she has never misused public funds but evidence in the hands of the Committee on Good Government has intensified scrutiny of the OVP’s financial practices and raised questions about the administration’s adherence to legal and ethical standards.
