House orders transfer of VP Duterte’s aide to women’s prison

Vice President Sara Duterte (right) and her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez (left)  —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Friday ordered the transfer of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez to the women’s prison in Mandaluyong City.

In a document sent by the OVP to reporters, House committee on good governance and public accountability chair Rep. Joel Chua ordered House Sergeant-At-Arms Napoleon Taas to transfer Lopez to the Women’s Correctional Facility.

This came after the committee held a special meeting on Friday, where its members unanimously approved the transfer of Lopez from the House of Representatives to the women’s prison.

READ: VP Sara willing to stay with her detained personnel at HOR

“You are hereby ordered to effect the transfer of Atty. Zuleika T. Lopez. from her detention in the House of Representative to the Women’s Correctional Facility, Mandaluyong City, immediately, so ordered,” the order read.

Prior to the order, Lopez was in the custody of Congress’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms after being cited for contempt.

Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, also went to the House of Representatives announcing that she would be staying “indefinitely” at her brother Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte’s office so she could visit Lopez.