NBI to issue subpoena against Sara Duterte following threat vs Marcos
The National Bureau of Investigation is set to issue a subpoena against Vice President Sara Duterte following her threatening remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
On Nov. 25, the NBI, Department of Justice, and National Prosecution Service held a palace briefing discussing Duterte's pronouncements.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that the subpoena would be served immediately to compel the VP to explain her actions. The agency also verified that the video is authentic, and not made with AI or deepfake.
He added that the agency has no leads yet on the assassin Duterte mentioned that would take out Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
"'Yan ay malilinawan kapag sumagot sa subpoena namin si VP Sara. Siya magpapaliwanag sino 'yun," Santiago continued.
During the briefing, the NBI director was asked if Duterte would face the same arrest that Ronnel Mas, a teacher who posted about giving a P50 million reward to whoever kills former president Rodrigo Duterte.
"This time, out of courtesy, due process, 'Di namin inaresto agad si Vice President dahil siya ay Vice President. We are giving her a chance [to] answer 'yung binibintang sa kanya."
"We will ask her to appear in our office within five days from today."
Duterte's legal liabilities
For his part, DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres said Duterte and the unidentified assassin could face several legal liabilities, if conspiracy to commit an attempt on the Marcos' life is proven.
"Diretsuhan niyang sinabi na siya po ay kumuha ng tao na siya pong gagawa ng pagpatay ng Pangulo pati ng First Lady at Speaker of the House. 'Di tamang pananalita na nanggagaling sa napakataas na opisyales ng ating bayan," he said.
"Hindi po namin sinasara ang pinto sa malalaking kaso, ngunit ayon sa due process, kailangan isaganap muna namin ang kumpletong imbestigasyon... We assure you, the full force of the law will be used in dealing with this matter," Andres added.
Among the legal liabilities Duterte could face is disbarment, as per Santiago.
Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Domingo Egon Cayoso said in a radio interview that the VP could be disbarred for her actions as they violated Canon 1 of legal ethics.
According to Andres, a thorough investigation would be conducted first before determining Duterte's particular offenses.
Meanwhile, Santiago said that the NBI has yet to receive reports about threats against the VP's life. She mentioned getting such warnings during her Zoom press conference on Nov. 23 and statement on Nov. 25.
CIDG to probe 'hitman'
In a separate press briefing at Camp Crame on Nov. 25, the Criminal Investigation Detection Group said it would investigate the alleged hitman.
CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre III said that Duterte's remark of an assassin could be a "figure of speech," thus they would verify the claim.
"We will determine if there is indeed a hitman or if this is something else entirely," he said.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police public information office chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the CIDG is investigating beyond the VP to other individuals and actions when the remarks were made. (with reports from Mark Ernest Villeza)
