House panel orders release of VP Duterte’s chief of staff after 10-day detention

On Saturday, November 30, the House committee on good government ordered the release of Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff to Vice President Sara Duterte, from detention after ten days.

Lopez was cited in contempt during an investigation into alleged misuse of funds and had been detained since November 23; she received a formal letter directing her release following a medical examination.

The committee granted her conditional release, requiring her attendance at all future hearings related to the ongoing probe into P612.5 million in confidential funds.

Lopez was hospitalized on Saturday morning due to health issues and is currently receiving treatment at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Vice President Duterte strongly reacted to Lopez's detention, even threatening violence against government officials during a virtual midnight press briefing on November 23, warning that any harm to her would be met with retaliation.

The committee continues its investigation into transactions involving OVP and DepEd funds, with Lopez now required to cooperate fully as the probe progresses.