VP SARA REFUSES TO LEAVE HOUSE AFTER VISITING CHIEF OF STAFF, SOLON DESCRIBES HER ACTION AS ‘LACK OF RESPECT’

VICE President Sara Duterte has refused to leave the House of Representatives after visiting her chief of staff who was cited in contempt and ordered detained for “undue interference.”

The Vice President defied orders to leave the Batasang Pambansa complex Thursday night, and instead chose to stay in her brother’s (Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte) office.

The House of Representatives’ sergeant-at-arms repeatedly appealed to VP Sara to leave .  

The Vice President’s refusal to leave the premises after visiting her detained chief-of-staff Zuleika Lopez forced the House to implement a security lockdown to secure the building.

Manila 3^rd district Rep. Joel Chua, chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government, described the Vice President’s  behavior as a “lack of respect in the institution” or the House of Representatives. 

“It’s clear that she only does what she wants,” Chua said.

The vice president said she wanted to accompany Lopez in detention due to her physical ailments, including chronic back problems, migraines, nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue from jet lag.

Duterte further claimed,: “She has requested me to join her so she may have peace of mind and get adequate rest.”

In a press conference, Chua said the panel rejected VP Sara’s appeal to join Lopez in detention until November 25.

In a joint statement, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Deputy Speaker David Suarez said VP Sara’s stay beyond visiting hours is a breach to security.

“Binuksan namin ang pinto ng malasakit para sa kanya, binigyan siya ng espesyal na pahintulot na bisitahin si attorney Zuleika Lopez. Pero pagkatapos ng oras ng pagbisita na natapos nang 10 ng gabi, hindi siya umalis,” the House leaders said.

The House leaders emphasized the importance of adhering to security protocols, regardless of rank or position.