OVP chief departs for LA ahead of House hearing on fund misuse

The Office of the Vice President's (OVP) Chief of Staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, has left the Philippines on a personal trip unrelated to her employment and is expected to return by November 16.

Lopez departed for Los Angeles on Monday night (Nov. 4), the day before she was scheduled to appear at a House hearing into alleged misuse of government funds under Vice President Sara Duterte's watch, prompting lawmakers to question the timing and purpose of her trip.

Lawmakers have raised suspicions about Lopez's departure, with Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong describing it as 'suspicious' and implying that her actions indicate an attempt to avoid questioning, while Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon suggested that her actions indicate 'bad faith'.

The House panel issued a subpoena ad testificandum to Lopez and six other OVP officials who skipped the hearing, threatening contempt citations if they do not attend; lawmakers urged the Department of Justice to issue a lookout bulletin against these officials.

In response, the Office of the Vice President said Lopez's travel was personal and unrelated to her employment with the OVP, but congressmen remain skeptical about the timing and purpose of her trip.