VP chief of staff to stay in House for five more days

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff will stay detained at the House of Representatives for five more days from Monday, Nov. 25, as approved by the committee on good government and public accountability that is probing the confidential fund spending of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

France Castro, ACT Teacher’s party-list representative and a Duterte critic, sought the extension in light of the “evasive” attitude of Zuleika Lopez in the inquiry.

Lopez was a no show in the hearing and has been hospitalized at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City since Saturday.

“Nakita natin sa history noong kanyang evasive attitude, behavior at itong crineate niya na pagsisinungaling niya, na hindi naman siya hinarass, hindi siya nabarge,” said Castro.

[Translation: We saw her evasive attitude and behavior and she lied because she was not harassed, no one barged into her room]

Lopez earlier said a number of people “barged” into her room on Friday night to hand her the transfer order for her transfer to the women’s correctional facility in Mandaluyong City.

She was cited in contempt on Nov. 20 for what lawmakers called “undue interference” in the confidential fund investigation.

It is unclear whether Lopez will be brought back to the House facility or stay at the hospital.

Sen. Bato dela Rosa said on Sunday the vice-presidential staff was not ‘physically capable to attend the inquiry.

The OVP has yet to address the new detention order from the House.