THE House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, led by Rep. Joel Chua, has cited Atty. Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff of Vice President Sara Duterte, for contempt during a hearing on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Lopez was cited for violating Section 11-F of the House Rules, which prohibits undue interference in the committee’s proceedings. The decision came after her letter to the Commission on Audit (COA) was scrutinized; in the letter, Lopez allegedly asked COA to disregard a subpoena issued by the House panel for critical documents related to the investigation.
During the hearing, Lopez denied any involvement or knowledge of the disbursement, liquidation, and utilization of the OVP’s confidential funds. Her responses prompted intense questioning from lawmakers seeking clarity on the matter.
The investigation, which resumed on Wednesday, was also marked by the absence of key OVP and DepEd officials, including Assistant Chief of Staff and Bids and Awards Committee chair Lemuel Ortonio, Special Disbursing Officer Gina Actosta, former DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, and former DepEd Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda.
The committee continues to press for accountability and transparency regarding the use of public funds in these offices.