Rappler reviews ties between Zuleika Lopez and Sara Duterte

CHEERS TO Rappler for its report that traced the ties between Zuleika Lopez to and Vice President Sara Duterte. Lopez currently serves as Duterte’s chief of staff. Reviewing past news reports, Bonz Magsambol established the record of her service as Duterte’s city administrator from 2010 to 2013 during which time she was known as Sara Duterte’s trusted right-hand person.

Given this background, Lopez would have much to reveal to the House panel investigating the Vice President’s budget. When the panel learned that Lopez had flown to the United States one day before she was scheduled to appear at a hearing, the panel issued a subpoena to summon her to the House. 

But her appearance before the House panel on November 20 yielded scant information about the Vice President’s budget. Lopez responded only with vague answers – leading the House panel to cite her for contempt and to order her detention in the House facility until November 25.

In contrast to other reporters who merely recorded the lack of clear answers, Magsambol reviewed the long-standing relationship between Lopez and Duterte. 

Magsambol described Lopez’s appointment as Sara’s city administrator as “messy.” In 2010, Rodrigo Duterte, then the vice mayor, led a city council in grilling Lopez. Lopez, called Lyka or Zu by friends, appeared to be the driving force behind Sara’s administration, leading city hall meetings, ensuring the successful implementation of various projects, particularly Sara’s 10-point agenda. Magsambol cited a 2010 SunStar article and 2016 SunStar article for quotes describing Lopez as “a little mayor” in her position. 

Magsambol’s review of Lopez’ work record before working for Duterte showed her among the first to be employed by the University of the Philippines in Mindanao, later serving as a graft investigator at the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao. In 2007, Lopez served as the city council’s secretary when Sara was vice mayor of Davao City. 

Magsambol also included background on Lopez who comes from a prominent family in Davao. Her uncle, Elias Lopez, was a well-respected former mayor of Davao City, celebrated for his leadership prior to the Duterte era.

Magsambol observed that before the confidential fund controversy, Lopez was always present during budget hearings to respond to questions regarding the OVP programs. In contrast, she was unresponsive to questions during the House hearing, claiming that she was unaware of Sara’s confidential expenses.

Rappler’s report broke into Sara Duterte’s trusted circle but gained only scant information about Duterte’s handling of confidential funds. Media need to scale up their efforts of discovery, to break the wall of silence about possible abuse of public trust.