Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution seeks to present Zuleika Lopez after first batch of witnesses

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Lopez's detention at the House of Representatives in November 2024 triggered the infamous virtual press conference where Sara Duterte threatened the life of President Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution team asked the impeachment court on Tuesday, July 7, to compel the attendance of Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez in next week’s trial.

Based on the manifestation of the prosecution, a copy of which was obtained by Rappler, the House side is seeking to have the court subpoena Lopez and NBI Director General Melvin Matibag for July 13 to 15.

“Their testimonies are material, relevant, and necessary to establish the allegations under Article IV of the articles of impeachment,” the document reads.

Lopez was the reason for Vice President Sara Duterte’s visit to the House of Representatives on November 23, 2024, when the Vice President locked herself up inside an office and held the infamous virtual media conference where she threatened the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

Lopez at the time was detained at the House after being cited in contempt during a House good government committee inquiry into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds.

Duterte’s outburst was triggered by the House’s order to transfer Lopez to the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City.

Lopez was supposed to be the only one giving the unauthorized press conference from her detention cell but Duterte took over after her chief of staff suffered an anxiety attack. – Rappler.com