Kimberly Capuyan

Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez will step down as Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff after being “deeply traumatized” in the detention facility at the House of Representatives.

Photos Courtesy of House of Representatives/ABS-CBN News.

“She told me, ‘I want to resign. I want to resign from the Office of the Vice President (OVP)’ and I told her okay,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview on November 23.

“She is resigning. Tatapusin niya lang ang hearings,” she added.

Lopez had been detained at the House detention facility on November 20 after being cited in contempt for “undue interference” in House proceedings on Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds at the OVP and the Department of Education.

However, the House committee on good government and public accountability had ordered the transfer of Lopez to the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City on November 22, which she refused to comply with.

The decision caused Lopez to have a panic attack and prompted her hospitalization.

She was initially brought to Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) early on November 23, but was transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. Then, she was transferred back to the VMCC at noon after her condition stabilized.

On November 24, Duterte said Lopez has not “settled down” and that “she woke up several times in the night, had three dreams of someone smothering her with a pillow.”

“She allowed me to go see my children so as long as Senator Bong Go will replace me and that I come back in the evening. She demanded lawyers stay outside the room 24 hours a day. She wants to meet with lawyers daily,” Duterte added.

When asked about Lopez’s resignation, Duterte said it has not been finalized yet.

“Wala naman siya sinabi pa. Kahapon lang ‘yan na-discuss. Sinabi niya na gusto niya tapusin niya ‘yung part niya sa hearings tanong na lahat ng tanungin para ma-discharge na siya and makauwi na siya and ‘yun nga kasi hindi pa siya makauwi ngayon,” Duterte said.

The contempt order against Lopez will be lifted on November 25 during the resumption of the House proceeding.

The House also noted that there was no “ill-treatment” on Lopez during her detention and they “adhered to established protocols and due process, particularly the response to a medical emergency and other allegations raised,” according to House secretary general Reginald Velasco.