SARA’S ‘DIVERSIONARY TACTICS’ DENOUNCED
THE chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability yesterday accused Vice President Sara Duterte of orchestrating “diversionary tactics” to deflect scrutiny from the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua opened the committee’s seventh hearing with a fiery rebuke, asserting that Duterte and her team have resorted to theatrics and obfuscation to bury the truth behind mounting anomalies.
“Imbes na sagutin ang ating mga katanungan, nag-stage po ng mala-siege sa loob ng Kongreso at nagpaunlak ng kung anu-anong kwento ukol sa pag-detain kay Atty. Lopez,” Chua said.
Central to the controversy is Atty. Zuleika Lopez, the OVP’s Chief of Staff, who was cited for contempt in the previous hearing for what Chua characterized as “evasive, uncooperative, and untruthful” behavior
“Paulit-ulit din pong sinasabi ni Atty. Lopez na wala siyang alam sa utilization ng confidential funds ng OVP. Paulit-ulit ito na sagot,” Chua said, pointing to evidence that contradicted Lopez’s claims, including documents signed by her related to the liquidation of funds.
Lopez, Chua said, also admitted to authoring a letter attempting to block the Commission on Audit from complying with a congressional subpoena.
“Kung titingnan po ang totality of Atty. Lopez’ acts, malinaw na merong clear, persistent, and willful attempt to interfere, frustrate, and defeat the inquiry undertaken by the Committee,” Chua declared.
The investigation has been overshadowed by what Chua described as disruptive and theatrical actions by Vice President Duterte, who repeatedly stayed overnight in the House complex following Lopez’s detention.
Chua slammed Duterte’s presence as a blatant violation of security protocols and a deliberate attempt to derail the inquiry.
Despite multiple accommodations—including extended visiting hours, medical care, and access to Lopez’s personal physician and legal counsel—Duterte allegedly continued to disregard House rules.
This prompted the committee to order Lopez’s transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Chua reiterated that the inquiry had uncovered alarming irregularities in the handling of confidential funds.
