House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairman Joel Chua said during a press conference on Friday, that Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte requested if she can stay with her office Chief-of-Staff Zuleika Lopez, who is currently detained at the House facility.
According to the lawmaker, Duterte requested that she stay with Lopez for the duration of the latter's detention. Moreover, the VP also requested that Lopez be transferred to Cong. Paolo Duterte’s office. However, Chua said that they did not approve that request, as they want to ensure fairness among their detainees.
“Ito ay hindi natin pinayagan. Dahil otherwise, ang mangyayari niyan, yung mga iba pang may koneksyon o may mga kaibigan na Congressman ay ganon na lang ang gagawin,” Chua said.
“Sa aming paniniwala ay bad precedent kapag pinayagan natin. At tyaka syempre ayaw naman natin na magbigay ng pabor. Ang gusto natin pantay-pantay lahat ang mga ide-detain dito,” he added.
The House Sergeant-at-Arms PMGen. Napoleon Taas also stressed that the rules apply to everyone, not just to the Vice President. Earlier, Lopez sent a letter to the Committee requesting that she be allowed for a regular visitation from her physician, including a visit to the rehabilitation center due to her health status and cold shoulder.
She also requested the Committee's permission to allow her staff and council to visit her to prepare for the Monday hearing.
Chua said that they granted Lopez’ request, provided that she coordinates with Taas for the details. However, they did not permit Duterte's request to let her stay at the detention facility, due to her being high profile. They assured that they would allow Lopez to be accompanied by an immediate family instead.
Moreover, Chua said that he hopes that the Vice President will repay the leniency that they're giving, and respect the House’s rules.
“Unang-una si Vice President, high profile ‘yan na personality. Hindi naman naman ‘yan ordinaryong mamamayan. Pag may nangyari dyan, sagutin din nila ‘yan. Wala namang masama na makipag tulungan sa amin,” Chua said.
“Lahat naman, as long as within the bounds of law, ay ibibigay naman namin. Ang hinihiling lang namin ay sana sumunod lang, nang sa ganon ay hindi na magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng issue. Respect begets respect,” he added.
