The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability ordered for the release of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez after her 10-day detention.
In a letter released on Saturday, the House committee directed Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas for Lopez’ immediate release after the latter's medical examination.
The Committee Chairperson and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua signed the document, attested by the House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
Despite the release order, Lopez is still required by the panel to attend all the hearings.
“In view of the undertaking to attend all hearings, you are ordered to immediately release Atty. Zuleika Lopez after a medical examination has been conducted on her,” the release order indicated.
Basahin> kopya ng release order ng Kamara kay OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, sa kundisyon na haharap sa hearing ng komite kung ipatatawag. Pinirmahan ni Rep. Joel Chua, chair ng Good Govt Comm at sinaksihan ni House Sec Gen Reginald Velasco. @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/RbjSQBxCbD
— milky rigonan 💋 (@milkyrigonan) November 30, 2024
Lopez was first detained at the House facility after she was cited in contempt for undue interference during the House committee hearing on November 20.
The OVP official was rushed to the hospital after falling ill, amid her ordered transfer to the Women's Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City. A few days after, Lopez was transferred to the Veteran's Memorial Medical Center.
Her 10-day contempt order lasted until November 30, after the panel approved the motion to extend her detention for five more days.
Lopez also skipped the House panel's probe last week. She submitted a letter along with a certificate of confinement, asking that she be excused due to Acute Stress Disorder.
