House panel lets VP Duterte accompany sick staffer to hospital

Vice President Sara Duterte (right, back to camera) looks on as an ambulance crew prepares to get Gina Acosta, special disbursing officer of the OVP, into an ambulance at the House parking lot on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.. —Photo from a video by GABRIEL PABICO LALU / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on good government and public accountability excused Vice President Sara Duterte from its hearing on Monday after one of her staff members experienced shortness of breath while being questioned about the disbursement of P125-M confidential funds.

Before Duterte asked for the panel’s permission, she was seen accompanying Gina Acosta, the special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), to an ambulance bound for the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

“Mr Chair, Gina Acosta was rushed to the emergency room so may I ask permission to join her and leave the hearing and assist my colleague in the office of the vice president?” Duterte asked.

“I will join you in the next hearing,” she assured the committee.

Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua allowed Duterte to leave, and she immediately left the House premises.

OVP chief of staff Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez is also confined at the VMMC after experiencing medical issues due to a panic attack.

During the last hearing, Lopez was cited for contempt and ordered detained in the House premises.

Duterte accompanied her on Friday night. The vice president and Lopez conducted a press conference addressing issues surrounding the detainment of the latter.