House Secretary General Reginald Velasco denied that Vice President Sara Duterte was just forced to stay at the detention facility of her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and act as her lawyer after security personnel allegedly barred the entry of lawyers from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Velasco, in a statement released on Sunday, maintained that actions related to House detainees are “guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment.”
Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, the Vice President’s brother, blamed the House of Representatives for the standoff as it insisted on serving the transfer order of Lopez to a correctional facility in Mandaluyong City despite her resistance, challenging its legality.
“When she requested her lawyers to be present, the police refused to allow them inside. That’s why VP Sara stepped in. Acting as one of the lawyers, supported Atty. Lopez’s decision to stay within the (House) premises,” he said.
But House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas, a former police general, said the Vice President obstructed the execution of the order when she introduced herself as Lopez’s legal counsel and physically intervened to prevent the transfer.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, the committee’s chairperson, noted that Duterte’s move to act as legal counsel for her chief of staff is also a violation of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the Vice President, among others, from holding any other office or employment during tenure.
Velasco said the Office the Sergeant-at-Arms has no record of any lawyer being denied entry to meet with Lopez during the service of the transfer order at 11:27 p.m.
“Before any lawyer arrived at the House premises, Vice President Sara Duterte entered Atty. Lopez’s detention room at 11:40 p.m. and introduced herself as her legal counsel,” he said, adding the House security personnel just read the order outside the facility.
Velasco also noted that Lopez’s other lawyer, Lito Go, was also granted access to meet her at the detention facility.
“The Vice President and Atty. Go were with Atty. Lopez the whole time to provide her legal assistance. However, instead of complying with the transfer order, Atty. Lopez, with the Vice President by her side, conducted a press conference via Zoom at 1 a.m,” he said.
Velasco likewise denied Rep. Duterte’s claim that they confiscated the phones of Lopez, saying she was the one who voluntarily surrendered them. The House official also rejected claims that medical response for Lopez, who had panic attacks, was delayed.
“The House of Representatives remains steadfast in its duty to act with fairness, diligence, and respect for human rights. We assure the public that all concerns will be reviewed thoroughly to ensure accountability and transparency,” he said.
