House on VP Duterte’s chief of staff detainment: Guided by protocols

OCCUPY HOUSE Vice President Sara Duterte occupied the office of her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, after she was disallowed from staying with her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez (left photo) in the detention facility of the House of Representatives. — GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Sunday refuted allegations about the detainment of Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff in the chamber, saying all its actions are “guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment.

House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco negated the alleged refusal to allow lawyers to enter the House premises to meet the Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff  Zuleika Lopez and confiscation of phones.

He also addressed issues on emergency response and Lopez’s transfer to the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City.

Lopez was detained at the House after being cited for contempt by the House committee on good governance and public accountability as it found her committing undue interference in the panel’s probe into the alleged misuse of OVP’s confidential funds.

READ: VP Sara told: Enough with the drama, face OVP fund probe

“The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms has no record of any lawyer being denied entry to meet with Atty. Zuleika Lopez during the service of the transfer order at 11:27 p.m. [on Friday, Nov. 22]. Before any lawyer arrived at the House premises, Vice President Sara Duterte entered Atty. Lopez’s detention room at 11:40 p.m. and introduced herself as her legal counsel,” Velasco’s statement reads.

“The Vice President and Atty. Lopez refused entry to House security personnel serving the transfer order, prompting the latter to read the order from outside the room. At 12:25 a.m., Atty. Lopez’s other lawyer, Atty. Lito Go, was granted access to the detention center,” he added.

However, instead of complying with the transfer order, Duterte and Lopez conducted a press conference via Zoom at 1 a.m., according to Velasco.

The House official also refuted claims that detainees’ phones were confiscated.

“As part of established security protocols, detainees and their companions are subject to specific time limits for phone usage. Atty. Lopez and her companion voluntarily surrendered their phones after being politely informed by duty officers that their allotted time had ended,” Velasco said.

“These protocols are uniformly enforced to maintain order and security within the facility and apply to all detainees without exception,” he added.

Velasco also said that after Lopez raised medical issues after a panic attack at 2:29 a.m., her doctor was immediately granted access to House premises to evaluate her condition at 2:35 a.m., and by 3 a.m. an ambulance fetched her to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

READ: VP Sara takes break in guarding Lopez, will go back to VMMC Sunday night

“Claims of a delayed response are unfounded. This timeline demonstrates the swift and coordinated actions of House personnel,” he pointed out.

“After receiving a clean bill of health at VMMC, Atty. Lopez was later transported to St. Luke’s Medical Center by OVP staff for further evaluation. She was declared stable and subsequently returned to VMMC, accompanied by House representatives to ensure her safety,” he added.

Due to Lopez’s medical emergency, the secretary general allowed her to remain at the VMMC instead of proceeding with her transfer to the Women’s Correctional Facility.

Prior to this decision, Duterte “obstructed the implementation of the lawful order by blocking the detention room,” Velasco pointed out.

“This decision reflects the House’s commitment to prioritizing detainees’ health and safety in all circumstances,” he added. “The House of Representatives remains steadfast in its duty to act with fairness, diligence, and respect for human rights. We assure the public that all concerns will be reviewed thoroughly to ensure accountability and transparency.”

In a video sent to the media, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III was seen serving a new order to transfer Lopez back to the VMMC.

Lopez was seen hugging Duterte while crying and was later transported back to VMMC.

On her Sunday update, Duterte said Lopez “woke up several times in the night, had three dreams of someone smothering her with a pillow.”

She added that her staff has “no appetite” but only ate fruit to drink her medicine.