Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa criticized the House of Representatives panel's directive to transfer Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez to the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong, calling it "unjustified."
In an ambush interview with the media outside St. Luke's Medical Center on Saturday, Dela Rosa reiterated that the Women's Correctional Facility is meant for convicted criminals.
"Iyan ay kulungan ng mga convicted felons serving sentence. Bakit mo ikulong doon 'yung isang babae, isang abogado, na pinatawan lang ng citation for contempt?" Dela Rosa said.
"Ngayon, dadalhin mo na doon sa facility for the convicted criminals? That is very unjustified para sa akin," he added.
He also questioned the House panel for imposing contempt on individuals but being unable to ensure their safety in their own facility, despite having a designated area for those in contempt.
The senator emphasized that there should be a dedicated facility in Congress to properly secure individuals.
He added that it would have been acceptable if the transfer were to a detention facility like the Quezon City Police District Detention, but sending someone to a detention cell for convicted criminals is the worst option for him.
Moreover, Bato stated that he had already spoken with the VP, who expressed concern about what will happen to her Chief of Staff, as she is uncertain of the situation.
Earlier today, Usec. Lopez was rushed to the hospital after reportedly falling ill amid the enforcement of the transfer order for her.
According to Vice President Sara Duterte, Lopez was vomiting continuously and then collapsed. She also mentioned that no help was provided to them at the detention facility in the House.
