Zuleika Lopez of OVP Hospitalized After Sudden Illness

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Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was rushed to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City early Saturday morning after falling ill. This occurred shortly after the House of Representatives ordered her transfer to the Women’s Correctional Facility.

Vice President Sara Duterte accompanied Lopez to the hospital and later shared details of the incident. “Nagsuka siya nang nagsuka tapos nag-collapse,” Duterte said in an interview, explaining that Lopez had been vomiting repeatedly before collapsing.

After initial treatment at VMMC, Lopez was transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center, also in Quezon City, for further medical evaluation.

Earlier in the day, an emotional Lopez participated in a virtual news conference to express her concerns over the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s decision to remove her from the House detention facility late at night.

“This is a threat to my life,” Lopez stated, criticizing the timing and nature of the order.

The House had detained Lopez after being cited in contempt for alleged “undue interference” in the ongoing investigation into the disbursement of confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd). During the inquiry, Lopez admitted to signing a letter addressed to the Commission on Audit (COA), requesting the agency to disregard a House subpoena for audit reports related to the funds.

The committee ruled that Lopez would remain detained until November 25, when the next hearing on the controversial fund disbursement is scheduled. The investigation has drawn significant attention, with lawmakers questioning the transparency and legality of how the funds were allocated and utilized under Vice President Duterte’s leadership.

The abrupt transfer order and Lopez’s subsequent health crisis have fueled concerns over her safety and well-being, particularly in light of the high-profile and politically charged nature of the case. Some observers have called for a review of the detention arrangements, while others have urged for greater accountability in the ongoing probe.

As of now, there has been no update on Lopez’s medical condition following her transfer to St. Luke’s Medical Center. The incident adds another layer of tension to the already contentious investigation, with both the OVP and DepEd under intense scrutiny.

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