VP Duterte's chief of staff cited for contempt, ordered detained

Zuleika Lopez, Vice President Sara Duterte's chief of staff and OVP Undersecretary, was cited for contempt by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

The committee accused Lopez of interfering with their investigation into the misuse of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education.

During a hearing, Lopez signed a letter asking the Commission on Audit (COA) not to comply with a congressional subpoena for audit reports on OVP's expenses. She was ordered detained at the House premises until November 25.

Lopez appealed the contempt order but her appeal was unsuccessful.

The committee also discussed the resignation of DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Mercado and three other officials, allegedly due to Duterte's loss of trust and confidence without proper due process.