Rep. Duterte, House official offer different narratives of standoff over OVP aide's transfer | ABS-CBN
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Rep. Duterte, House official offer different narratives of standoff over OVP aide's transfer
Rep. Duterte, House official offer different narratives of standoff over OVP aide's transfer
Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte in this file photo from September 7, 2017. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte in this file photo from September 7, 2017. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATED) — Police securing the House of Representatives refused on Friday night to allow the entry of the lawyers of Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, prompting Vice President Sara Duterte to step in and act as her lawyer, according to Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, the Vice President’s brother.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Police securing the House of Representatives refused on Friday night to allow the entry of the lawyers of Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, prompting Vice President Sara Duterte to step in and act as her lawyer, according to Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, the Vice President’s brother.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has disputed Rep. Duterte's narrative, saying also that actions related to House detainees are "guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment".
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has disputed Rep. Duterte's narrative, saying also that actions related to House detainees are "guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment".
In a post on his social media account, Duterte narrated his version of how House officials tried to implement the order of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to transfer Lopez to a prison in Mandaluyong City.
In a post on his social media account, Duterte narrated his version of how House officials tried to implement the order of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to transfer Lopez to a prison in Mandaluyong City.
According to the panel, the transfer stemmed from VP Duterte’s “breach” of House security protocols, when she stayed overnight within House premises after visiting Lopez on Thursday, “utter disregard and brazen non-compliance” of order prohibiting the overnight stay, and “deliberate act of defiance” to House security personnel.
According to the panel, the transfer stemmed from VP Duterte’s “breach” of House security protocols, when she stayed overnight within House premises after visiting Lopez on Thursday, “utter disregard and brazen non-compliance” of order prohibiting the overnight stay, and “deliberate act of defiance” to House security personnel.
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House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas, a former police general, said the Vice President “obstructed” the execution of the order, introducing herself as “legal counsel” and “physically intervening to prevent the service of the transfer order”.
House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas, a former police general, said the Vice President “obstructed” the execution of the order, introducing herself as “legal counsel” and “physically intervening to prevent the service of the transfer order”.
VP Duterte’s move drew flak from some lawmakers, with House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairperson Joel Chua of Manila, saying Duterte’s claim of being Lopez’s legal counsel is a violation of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the Vice President, among others, from holding any other office or employment during tenure.
VP Duterte’s move drew flak from some lawmakers, with House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairperson Joel Chua of Manila, saying Duterte’s claim of being Lopez’s legal counsel is a violation of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the Vice President, among others, from holding any other office or employment during tenure.
Rep. Duterte said a “visibly emotional” Lopez refused to comply with the panel’s order and questioned the legality of the transfer since she has not been accused of or convicted of any crime.
Rep. Duterte said a “visibly emotional” Lopez refused to comply with the panel’s order and questioned the legality of the transfer since she has not been accused of or convicted of any crime.
“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,” Rep. Duterte said.
“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,” Rep. Duterte said.
He said that police confiscated phones, including that of Lopez’s executive assistant, who is not subject of the House detention order.
He said that police confiscated phones, including that of Lopez’s executive assistant, who is not subject of the House detention order.
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He also said an ambulance was denied entry into the Batasan Pambansa complex, which he said delayed medical assistance to Lopez.
He also said an ambulance was denied entry into the Batasan Pambansa complex, which he said delayed medical assistance to Lopez.
He said Lopez “who has scoliosis, experienced severe back pain, shortness of breath…eventually fainted”, saying also that the House “delayed” the response of its own doctors.
He said Lopez “who has scoliosis, experienced severe back pain, shortness of breath…eventually fainted”, saying also that the House “delayed” the response of its own doctors.
HOUSE SEC-GEN DISPUTES REP. DUTERTE’S CLAIMS
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Sunday disputed Rep. Duterte’s claims, saying the lower chamber of Congress ensures that all actions involving House detainees are “guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment”.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Sunday disputed Rep. Duterte’s claims, saying the lower chamber of Congress ensures that all actions involving House detainees are “guided by established protocols, due process, and a commitment to humane treatment”.
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.
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 House security personnel were refused entry into the detention room and forcing them to read the order from outside.
“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 House security personnel were refused entry into the detention room and forcing them to read the order from outside.
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"At 12:25 a.m., Atty. Lopez’s other lawyer, Atty. Lito Go, was granted access to the detention center,” Velasco also said.
"At 12:25 a.m., Atty. Lopez’s other lawyer, Atty. Lito Go, was granted access to the detention center,” Velasco also said.
“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,” Velasco added.
“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,” Velasco added.
He also tagged as “false” the claim that phones were “confiscated”, saying Lopez and her companion “voluntarily surrendered” their phones after being informed by duty officers that their allotted time for phone usage had ended.
He also tagged as “false” the claim that phones were “confiscated”, saying Lopez and her companion “voluntarily surrendered” their phones after being informed by duty officers that their allotted time for phone usage had ended.
“As part of established security protocols, detainees and their companions are subject to specific time limits for phone usage... These protocols are uniformly enforced to maintain order and security within the facility and apply to all detainees without exception,” Velasco explained.
“As part of established security protocols, detainees and their companions are subject to specific time limits for phone usage... These protocols are uniformly enforced to maintain order and security within the facility and apply to all detainees without exception,” Velasco explained.
He asserted that House personnel “promptly” facilitated the entry of healthcare professionals during Atty. Lopez’s medical emergency.
He asserted that House personnel “promptly” facilitated the entry of healthcare professionals during Atty. Lopez’s medical emergency.
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He said Lopez began vomiting and showing signs of a panic attack around 2:29 a.m.
He said Lopez began vomiting and showing signs of a panic attack around 2:29 a.m.
“By 2:35 a.m., her doctor, Dr. Tiamson, was granted access to evaluate her condition. By 3 a.m., an ambulance from the Quezon City Police District arrived, and by 3:08 a.m., Atty. Lopez was en route to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC),” Velasco narrated.
“By 2:35 a.m., her doctor, Dr. Tiamson, was granted access to evaluate her condition. By 3 a.m., an ambulance from the Quezon City Police District arrived, and by 3:08 a.m., Atty. Lopez was en route to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC),” Velasco narrated.
“Claims of a delayed response are unfounded. This timeline demonstrates the swift and coordinated actions of House person
“Claims of a delayed response are unfounded. This timeline demonstrates the swift and coordinated actions of House person
TRANSFER TO VETERANS AND THEN TO ST. LUKE'S
Lopez was rushed to government-owned Veterans Memorial Medical Center around 3:10 a.m., according to Rep. Duterte.
Lopez was rushed to government-owned Veterans Memorial Medical Center around 3:10 a.m., according to Rep. Duterte.
“The police initially stated she would be taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, but instead, they brought her to Veterans hospital,” he said.
“The police initially stated she would be taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, but instead, they brought her to Veterans hospital,” he said.
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Nearly two hours later, the OVP chief of staff was transferred to private hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, which has her medical records.
Nearly two hours later, the OVP chief of staff was transferred to private hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, which has her medical records.
“At around 5 am, when transferring her, the police insisted that she be transported in their ambulance and accompanied only by their personnel, which the patient refused. VP Sara suggested using the hospital ambulance instead, but the police blocked the path to stop its exit,” he said.
“At around 5 am, when transferring her, the police insisted that she be transported in their ambulance and accompanied only by their personnel, which the patient refused. VP Sara suggested using the hospital ambulance instead, but the police blocked the path to stop its exit,” he said.
He said the ambulance managed to slip through to go to St. Luke’s, where “over 100 police officers surrounded Atty. Lopez and VP Sara as if they were criminals.”
He said the ambulance managed to slip through to go to St. Luke’s, where “over 100 police officers surrounded Atty. Lopez and VP Sara as if they were criminals.”
In a press conference early Saturday morning, the House Sergeant-at-Arms said that a Philippine National Police doctor, who accompanied Lopez to VMMC, reported that medical tests on her revealed no alarming findings, with all results coming back "normal."
In a press conference early Saturday morning, the House Sergeant-at-Arms said that a Philippine National Police doctor, who accompanied Lopez to VMMC, reported that medical tests on her revealed no alarming findings, with all results coming back "normal."
After getting examined by physicians and being “cleared by St. Luke’s Medical Center”, Lopez was transferred back to the VMMC, “where doctors can completely examine her and verify her state of health”, according to House Secretary Velasco.
After getting examined by physicians and being “cleared by St. Luke’s Medical Center”, Lopez was transferred back to the VMMC, “where doctors can completely examine her and verify her state of health”, according to House Secretary Velasco.
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LOPEZ'S CONTEMPT CITATION
Last Wednesday, a House panel investigating the P612.5 million confidential expenses of the OVP and the Department of Education in 2022 and 2023, cited Lopez in contempt over “undue interference” in its proceedings.
Last Wednesday, a House panel investigating the P612.5 million confidential expenses of the OVP and the Department of Education in 2022 and 2023, cited Lopez in contempt over “undue interference” in its proceedings.
She admitted writing a letter to the Commission on Audit to keep confidential the audit information in documents subpoenad by a House panel.
She admitted writing a letter to the Commission on Audit to keep confidential the audit information in documents subpoenad by a House panel.
VP Duterte previously said the House probe is politically motivated. But House leaders denied this, saying they just want accountability on the alleged misuse of public funds in offices handled by the Vice President. VP Duterte has denied these allegations.
VP Duterte previously said the House probe is politically motivated. But House leaders denied this, saying they just want accountability on the alleged misuse of public funds in offices handled by the Vice President. VP Duterte has denied these allegations.
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