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MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Wednesday said the timing of the departure of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez was “suspicious” as she left the country the night before the hearing on the alleged misuse of funds under Vice President Sara Duterte’s watch.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Lopez’s action “speaks about priority,” adding that it was her “duty” to respond to the invitation of the House committee on good government and public accountability.
“The circumstance surrounding the departure of the chief of staff is really… puts everyone’s mind the question ‘why?’ The timing is very suspicious,” he said in a press conference.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon also pointed out the circumstances of the OVP official’s departure.
“Good faith is presumed in every act, but the presumption does not apply in this case. This means, there’s bad faith. First, they were invited several times; second, you can see bad faith because she left the night before the scheduled hearing,” he said.
He also pointed out that this may give the public the impression that Lopez was trying to escape or avoid the House probe
“So, I call the attention of this person to prioritize their work, because the chief of staff has the obligation to explain the irregularities, the concerns, the issues. Because if you are not hiding anything, why are you avoiding [the hearing]?” Bongalon asked.
Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan shared a quote that “flight is an indication of guilt.”
Meanwhile, House Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre asked “Who will benefit if [Lopez] leaves?
“Remember this is not the first time that they were invited to attend a hearing, this is the fourth time, I believe, that they were invited to a hearing,” he added.
Lopez boarded a Philippine Airlines flight (PR102) to Los Angeles, California on Monday (Nov. 4) night.
The OVP issued a statement late Tuesday night confirming the departure of Lopez, saying that it was “personal and unrelated to her employment.” Her overseas travel will last until November 16.
“Usec. Lopez appropriately submitted documents required of traveling government officials, which were approved by the Vice President,” the OVP’s statement read.
“Speculations about the purpose of this travel are unfounded and unnecessary. We request to respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time,” it added.
Earlier, the House panel urged the Department of Justice to issue a lookout bulletin against seven OVP officials. The request also came after subpoenas were issued against them for their repeated absences from previous hearings.
Aside from Lopez, other officials subpoenaed are OVP Assistant Chief of Staff and Bids and Awards Committee Chair Lemuel Ortonio, Administrative and Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez, Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, Chief Accountant Juleita Villadelrey, former Department of Education Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda, and SDO Edward Fajarda.
Based on a report received by the panel, Ortonio, Sanchez, Villadelrey, Charry Fajarda, and Edward Fajarda remain in the Philippines, while Acosta’s status is still unclear since her name is similar to multiple individuals.
The panel also issued another subpoena against the seven OVP officials and two others — Budget Division Chief Edelyn Rabago and Chief Administrative Officer Kelvin Gerome Teñido. (with reports from Emmanuel John Abris, intern)