Vice-President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024, while the hearing on alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education is suspended. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA - Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday confirmed that she will attend the next hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the alleged illegal fund misuse of her office and the Department of Education which she previously led.

She said she will accompany three Office of the Vice President (OVP) staff who have confirmed their attendance as resource persons in the next House hearing.

“They really feel safer and medyo kumakalma sila kung nandyan ako,” Duterte said in an ambush interview at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on November 30.

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However, she expressed concern on her schedule, noting that she is leading various yearend activities while her chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, is in the hospital.

“Ang worry ko lang is right now wala na kasi kaming chief of staff, affected din yung assistant chief of staff ng office so ako na lang talaga ‘yung naiwan sa opisina to do everything,” she added.

INDEFINITE LEAVE

Meanwhile, Duterte clarified that Lopez has yet to resign from her post as OVP chief of staff but will take an indefinitely leave.

“Once ma-clear siya dito, she will file an indefinite leave from the Office of the Vice President,” the vice president said.

Duterte also gave updates on the medical condition of Lopez and OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta.

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However, she refused to specify upon the request of the two.

“Ang isang patient may clearance na siya, ang desisyon niya is umuwi muna sa kaibigan niya, natatakot siyang umuwi sa sarili niyang bahay,” Duterte disclosed.

“Yung isang patient waiting siya for discharge, at sabi sa kanya ng private doctors niya ay lumipat siya ng hospital,” she added.