PNP Serves Transfer Order To OVP Chief-of-Staff Zuleika Lopez, Lawyer Fears for her Life
ZULEIKA LOPEZ – The Chief-of-Staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was emotional as she hugged Vice Pres. Sara Duterte while the Philippine National Police (PNP) is serving the transfer order.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte surprisingly spent the night at the House of Representatives. She decided to stay at the office of her brother, Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, after she visited the detained chief-of-staff of the OVP.
At the end of the November 20 hearing over the budget use of the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd), the House panel cited Attorney Zuleika Lopez, the OVP chief-of-staff, for contempt. She was ordered to be detained inside the House until Monday, November 25.
Duterte requested if she can stay with Lopez during her detention claiming the OVP chief-of-staff has health issues. However, the House panel refused to grant the request of the Vice President saying she is not part of the detention order.
Thus, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte took the offer of her brother, Congressman Pulong Duterte, to stay at his office. She brought with her a pillow and she also requested for a rope where she can hang her clothes after the laundry. According to VP Sara Duterte, she intended to stay at the House until after New Year.
However, early today, OVP chief-of-staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez was rushed to the hospital and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte accompanied her. She fell ill amid the order of the House for her to be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Lopez was brought to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and was later on transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has released a transfer order mandating the OVP chief-of-staff’s transfer to Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Based on a video posted by ABS-CBN News on Facebook, Atty. Zuleika Lopez was crying and hugging Vice Pres. Sara Duterte while the PNP was serving the transfer order. The order was read by CIDG Chief PBGen. Nicolas Torre III.
Based on the post, Lopez fears for her life but the PNP assured her of her safety. Here’s the video posted on social media:
Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte previously requested that the OVP chief-of-staff will be detained in his office at the House of Representatives. However, the committee denied the request of the lawmaker.