Contrary to public insinuations, lawyer Zuleika Lopez, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), affirmed she did not leave the country to avoid attending the House of Representatives’ inquiry on the alleged misuse of OVP funds.
In her letter to House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability chair Rep. Joel Chua, Lopez apologized and explained that she was attending to a medical emergency involving her aunt in the United States.
“Contrary to public insinuations, I did not depart the country to avoid attending the hearing. I sincerely apologize if this impression was conveyed; however, I was attending to a medical emergency involving my aunt in the United States,” she said.
Lopez, former Davao City Administrator, also explained that prior to the commencement of the hearing, she received an urgent notification from the hospital indicating that, in accordance with her aunt’s wishes, her presence was required at her side without delay, as she is currently hospitalized and receiving intensive medical care.
“My aunt has no other family members and has designated me in her legal documentation as her caretaker, responsible for overseeing her needs. I am hereby submitting a letter from her physician to corroborate these circumstances. I appeal to the understanding of the Committee during this challenging period for my family,” she said.
Apart from Lopez, other officials of the OVP were requested to be placed under Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) by Chua allegedly due to their refusal to attend the inquiry namely Atty. Lemuel G. Ortonio, Assistant Chief of Staff and Chairperson of the Bids and Awards of the OVP; Atty. Rosalynne L. Sanchez, Director for Administrative and Financial Services of the OVP; Gina F. Acosta, Special Disbursing Officer of the OVP; Julieta Villadelrey, Chief Accountant of the OVP; Edward D. Fajarda, Special Disbursing Officer of the Department of Education, now with the OVP; and Atty. Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda, former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed frustrations as the HoR, according to her, is just destroying the dignity of the OVP and the name of its ordinary employees.
“Doon masakit ang loob ko kasi mga ordinary employees lang ito sila. Sa akin walang problema na sirain nyo ang pangalan ko kasi nung pumasok ako sa pulitika, expected na sa pulitika siraan talaga ang strategy. Ang ikinasasama ng loob ko ay nadadamay yung mga tao na wala namang ginawa kundi nagtrabaho lang doon sa OVP.
