Vice President Sara Duterte said Friday, Nov. 22, that she is planning to stay at the House of Representatives until after the new year as several staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) remain in House detention.
Duterte, who is currently staying at her brother Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte's office, said she will do her functions as vice president inside the House compound as her team has already come up with plans on how to work on it.
She will even do her laundry inside.
"Nagpabili na ako kanina ng tali, kasi dito na ako maglalaba, and then dito ko na lang i-dry yung clothes ko kasi medyo marami naman akong t-shirt na nadala, pero pwede na sya (I bought a rope earlier to hang my clothes, because I will just do my laundry and dry them here. I have lots of t-shirts with me, and they're enough)," she said.
"Kasi uniform naman dala ko. So, hindi sya halata na paulit-ulit (I have brought uniforms. So they wouldn't look like I'm just repeating my clothes)," she added.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, Duterte asked House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairman Joel Chua to allow her to join her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, in detention after the latter was cited in contempt and ordered detained.
Duterte said she felt like being with Lopez due to following:
- Lopez has chronic back problem that often results in migraines
- Lopez feels nauseous and lightheaded
- Lopez lacks sleep for fear of safety and security
- Lopez is not used being alone and worries that other detainees harm her
- Lopez is still feeling fatigue due to jetlag and "sadness about the condition of her aunt"
- Lopez has requested Duterte to join her for peace of mind and to get rest
However, her request was rejected and was only allowed to see Lopez during visiting hours.
Instead, her brother let her stay inside his office. Rep. Duterte also informed Chua that his sister is amenable to stay inside the House compound even without electricity and water and during periods of maintenance.
According to the Vice President, the House Sergeant-At-Arms told her to leave the compound because she could not be provided with electricity due to austerity measures being taken by the Congress.
"Sabi ko go ahead [na patayin ang kuryente] kasi meron naman ako dalang flashlight saka matutulog na ako (I said, just go ahead and turn off the electricity because I have a flashlight with me)," she said, adding that she did not even need an electricity when sleeping.
"Sabi ko sir patayin nyo lng yung kuryente (I told him, 'Sir, just turn off the electricity.' I applaud the Hosue of Representatives for having austerity measures," she added.
Duterte also said in jest that she might even be the next House speaker for her stay at the compound.
"VP Speaker na tawag nyo sakin (Just call me VP speaker)," she said.