Vice President Sara Duterte spent Thursday night, Nov. 21 at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City after vsiting her detained chief-of-staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, there.
VP Duterte visits detained chief-of-staff, sleeps over at House of Representatives
Nov 22, 2024 01:20 AM
At a glance
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB Photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte spent Thursday night, Nov. 21 at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City after vsiting her detained chief-of-staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, there.
This was confirmed to reporters by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Friday morning, Nov. 22.
"The VP arrived at around 7:40 p.m. (Thursday) at the premises and we allowed her to visit Atty. Lopez [at the] visitor's center. They both stayed there until around 10 p.m.," Velasco said.
After visiting hours were over, Velasco said that the Vice President decided to go to the office of her brother, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte.
"From then on, she stayed there...until now nandun siya (she's there)."
Lopez attended Wednesday's hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability as a resource person.
The hearing delved into the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd)--agencies handled by Duterte.
At the end of the 10-hour hearing, she was cited for contempt for "undue interference in the conduct of proceedings" and ordered detained within the House until Monday, Nov. 25.
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When asked if Duterte brought Lopez any items, Velasco said, “May nagbalita na may dalang unan (Someone reported that she brought a pillow)."
Velasco said they have alerted the Quezon City Police “just to be ready in case there are some disturbances outside the premises of the House".
The House of Representatives has no office work on Friday; plenary sessions are only held from Monday to Wednesday.
Velasco said they have alerted the Quezon City Police “just to be ready in case there are some disturbances outside the premises of the House".
The House official says he has "no indication" what Duterte intends to do next.
"Anyway our security are in contact with the security personnel of the VP para malaman kung ano yung plano niya (to find out what her plan is)."
Vice President Duterte's latest surprise appearance at the House came after Speaker Romualdez himself challenged her to attend the good government panel hearings. She didn't attend Wednesday's hearing despite receiving an invitation.