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House Shrugs Off Zuleika Lopez's 'Typhoon Inday' Remark
Photo credit: Congress PH
House leaders on Thursday brushed aside former Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez's remark telling the public to "prepare for Typhoon Inday" ahead of her scheduled appearance in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte next week.
Lopez made the comment during an ambush interview at the Senate, where she is expected to testify as one of the House prosecution's witnesses when the impeachment proceedings resume.
Asked about Lopez's statement during a press briefing, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V responded with a sarcastic remark, saying it may be the other camp that should prepare.
"Oo, maghanda rin sila kasi usually 'pag bagyo wala sila. Kaya baka maghanda rin po sila. Nakahanda naman po kaming lahat."
House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, meanwhile, declined to read any political meaning into Lopez's comment and instead pointed to the actual weather situation.
"Totoo naman pong may bagyong Inday, so maghanda po tayo para sa bagyo."
The impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on Monday with the House prosecution continuing to present evidence under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc is expected to take the witness stand on Monday, while Lopez is scheduled to testify later in the week on matters within her personal knowledge related to the prosecution's evidence.
Lopez served as Duterte's chief of staff at the Office of the Vice President and is expected to answer questions regarding issues covered by Article IV.
Her "Typhoon Inday" remark also fueled speculation that Vice President Duterte may return to the Senate when the impeachment trial resumes. Duterte attended the second day of the proceedings to meet with her legal team but did not appear before the Senate impeachment court while prosecutors continued presenting evidence.
The comment came as Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) continued moving west-northwest over the Philippine Sea. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the cyclone remained a typhoon and was forecast to pass close to Extreme Northern Luzon before moving toward Taiwan and eventually mainland China.
Despite weakening from its earlier peak intensity, PAGASA warned that Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon could still bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas, and dangerous coastal conditions across parts of Northern Luzon and other areas of the country in the coming days.
As preparations continue for both the approaching typhoon and the resumption of the impeachment trial, Lopez is expected to be among the key witnesses in the prosecution's presentation of evidence next week.
Lopez made the comment during an ambush interview at the Senate, where she is expected to testify as one of the House prosecution's witnesses when the impeachment proceedings resume.
Asked about Lopez's statement during a press briefing, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V responded with a sarcastic remark, saying it may be the other camp that should prepare.
"Oo, maghanda rin sila kasi usually 'pag bagyo wala sila. Kaya baka maghanda rin po sila. Nakahanda naman po kaming lahat."
House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, meanwhile, declined to read any political meaning into Lopez's comment and instead pointed to the actual weather situation.
"Totoo naman pong may bagyong Inday, so maghanda po tayo para sa bagyo."
The impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on Monday with the House prosecution continuing to present evidence under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc is expected to take the witness stand on Monday, while Lopez is scheduled to testify later in the week on matters within her personal knowledge related to the prosecution's evidence.
Lopez served as Duterte's chief of staff at the Office of the Vice President and is expected to answer questions regarding issues covered by Article IV.
Her "Typhoon Inday" remark also fueled speculation that Vice President Duterte may return to the Senate when the impeachment trial resumes. Duterte attended the second day of the proceedings to meet with her legal team but did not appear before the Senate impeachment court while prosecutors continued presenting evidence.
The comment came as Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) continued moving west-northwest over the Philippine Sea. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the cyclone remained a typhoon and was forecast to pass close to Extreme Northern Luzon before moving toward Taiwan and eventually mainland China.
Despite weakening from its earlier peak intensity, PAGASA warned that Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon could still bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas, and dangerous coastal conditions across parts of Northern Luzon and other areas of the country in the coming days.
As preparations continue for both the approaching typhoon and the resumption of the impeachment trial, Lopez is expected to be among the key witnesses in the prosecution's presentation of evidence next week.
Jul 9, 2026
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