House initiates contempt proceedings vs OVP Usec Lopez

The House of Representatives' committee on good government and public accountability has initiated contempt proceedings against Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez.

The move stems from Lopez's alleged undue interference in the committee's hearings, specifically a letter sent to the Commission on Audit (COA).

In the letter, Lopez reportedly asked COA to withhold audit observations on the OVP's confidential funds from the House.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro proposed the contempt citation, accusing Lopez and the OVP of attempting to obstruct the House's scrutiny of their transactions.

The committee chairperson, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, approved the motion after it was seconded.

Lopez is slated for detention at the House premises for five days, concluding on November 25, the date of the committee's next hearing.

Lawmakers expressed frustration with Lopez prior to the contempt motion, citing her insistence on not being privy to certain OVP matters despite her role as chief-of-staff.

Lopez appealed the contempt order, apologizing and characterizing her letter to COA as a mere request, but Castro pointed to her evasiveness in answering questions as another reason for the contempt charge.