The chief of staff of Vice President Sara Duterte is in “good shape” following an incident while detained at the House of Representatives, according to House sergeant-at-arms retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas.

Atty. Zuleika Lopez, who has been detained since being cited for contempt due to “undue interference” in the House probe into alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by Duterte, was initially taken to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) for evaluation. 

Taas said in a press conference early Saturday morning that a Philippine National Police (PNP) doctor who accompanied Lopez to VMMC reported that medical tests on her revealed no alarming findings, with all results coming back "normal."

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“‘Yung nakuha po nating report mula sa doctor ng [PNP] na kasama po ni Atty. Lopez na nagdala sa kanya sa [VMMC], ang resulta po ay normal ang lahat ng kanyang vital signs, pati na ang ECG. Kaya po nagtataka kami kung bakit kinakailangan pa siyang ilipat at ipa-check sa St. Luke’s,” said Taas.

“Perhaps second opinion, just for added peace of mind. But ang last na report po sa atin ng PNP doctor is normal ang condition. She is in pretty good shape.”

Taas said the initial observation from the attending PNP doctor pointed to a panic attack as a possible cause of Lopez’s distress.

“I cannot confirm [because] I’m not a doctor, but from the reports we got, also specifically from the PNP doctor, para pong panic attack ang observation,” he added.

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Concerns over Lopez’s mental state surfaced after reports said she had taken a ballpoint pen during an incident, raising questions about her well-being. 

But Taas dismissed any indications of suicidal tendencies based on regular assessments conducted by House personnel.

“Daily po natin tsine-check ‘yun—twice a day po natin kinukuha ‘yung vitals for us to get the opportunity na i-assess ‘yung ating detainees kung meron bang suicidal tendencies,” Taas explained.

“And as regards to Atty. Lopez, wala po tayong report from all those on duty. Nagre-report po ng regular basis ‘yun. Wala pong suicidal tendencies,” he added.