NBI serves subpoena to Sara Duterte over threats vs Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday, November 26, served a subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte in connection to her threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In the subpoena, Duterte was directed to appear before NBI Director Jaime Santiago, at his office, at 9 am on Friday, November 29, to explain her side.

The NBI team arrived at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong headquarters past noon. The subpoena was later received by OVP staff.

The DOJ said in a statement that Duterte has five days “to respond and explain her recent threatening remarks” directed at the Marcoses and Romualdez, and that the NBI begun its manhunt for the person who allegedly agreed to assassinate the three personalities.

“Today, the NBI has begun conducting a manhunt operations to search for the alleged assassin/s hired by the self-confessed mastermind, VP Sara herself and make them accountable. The DOJ reiterates its stance that threats made by any public official, regardless of their position, will not be tolerated and must be addressed through appropriate legal channels,” it added.

Chance for Duterte to formalize security concerns

Santiago said in an interview on DZBB’s Saksi sa Dobol B on Tuesday morning that the subpoena will allow Duterte not only to air her side but also to convey her security concerns.

Asked about Duterte’s claim that she made the threat against Marcos to highlight her own security concerns, Santiago said: “Alam ‘nyo actually isa ‘yan sa pakay namin kung bakit namin sinusubpoena ang Pangalawang Pangulo. At para masabi niya rin formally ang sinasabi niya na tangka sa kanyang buhay. Kasi wala naman kaming formal na reklamo na natatanggap sa kanya.”

(You know, one of the reasons why we are going to subpoena the Vice President is for her to formally narrate the threat to her life that she had been talking about. Because we have yet to receive a formal complaint from her.)

Double standard?

Santiago also addressed questions about the observed “double standard” in handling Duterte’s case as compared to that of 25-year-old teacher Ronnel Mas who was arrested without a warrant and swiftly charged over his social media post about a P50-million reward to anyone who will kill then-president Rodrigo Duterte.

In May 2020, Mas was charged with inciting to sedition related to cybercrime, and violation of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Stanfards for Public Officials and Employees over the online post. The charges were dismissed a month later.

“‘Yan po ang isang bagay na naturingan, ‘yung pahayag na papatayin ang Pangulo, galing sa bibig ng Pangalawang Pangulo. Siya po ay very powerful, very influential woman. Out of respect, binibigyan natin siya ng pagkakataon, due process, na maipaliwanag niya ang kanyang side. Out of respect na lang po kaya dinadaan namin lahat sa due process,” Santiago said.

(That was one thing that was pinpointed, the statement on killing the President which came directly from the mouth of the Vice President. She is a very powerful, very influential woman. Out of respect, we are giving her a chance, due process, to explain her side. This is out of respect, that’s why we are coursing everything through due process.)

‘No room for interpretation’

The NBI chief said that among their evidence against Duterte is the video clip of the Vice President’s press conference on Saturday, November 23. He said they will submit all the evidence to the Department of Justice (DOJ) which will determine if a case would be filed.

In a virtual press conference on Saturday, a visibly enraged Duterte said she had arranged the assassination of the Marcos couple and Romualdez, and stated twice that she was not joking. She backtracked on her statement days later, claiming that what she said had been “maliciously taken out of logical context.”

The government, however, is taking the matter seriously. “The actions taken today strongly demonstrate the government’s dedication to ensuring that all officials operate within a framework of integrity and accountability,” the DOJ said on Tuesday.

“There should be no room for interpretation when it comes to statements made by public officials, their words must be interpreted in their plain and literal meaning  to give paramount importance to their accountability as public servants,” it added.

It also said that “in light of this alarming situation, the government is committed to utilizing all available resources to address these threats effectively.”

The DOJ reiterated that the Vice President “is not immune from suit and will be held accountable for her disturbing remarks which is something not be taken lightly.”

Marcos said in a statement on Monday, November 26, that he will not ignore any threats to his life and called on his erstwhile ally not to resort to “distractions” to “change the story,” referring to the investigation into her alleged fund misuse at the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, when she led that agency.

It was the first time for Marcos to openly chastise Duterte, who has been attacking him since their parted ways in June, following her resignation from his Cabinet.

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The Vice President’s Saturday online rampage was triggered by the order of the House committee on good government to transfer her House-detained chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, to the women’s correctional in Mandaluyong City. The House panel later allowed Lopez to be confined at the state-run Veterans Medical Memorial Center, following her anxiety attack, but also extended her detention by five days.

The House panel had earlier cited Lopez in contempt on because of her evasive answers and “undue interference” in the House hearing on Duterte’s alleged fund misuse, and ordered her detention at the House.

Duterte: Plan with ‘no flesh’

In a statement posted on her Facebook page while the NBI team was preparing to serve her subpoena, Duterte again belied allegations that she was plotting to assassinate Marcos and said that the government’s “insistence that the President’s life is under active threat is ominous.”

“There is absolutely no flesh on the bone, and despite the absence of a reliable investigation, authorities were quick to consider this a national security concern,” she said.

Duterte claimed that in contrast, there was “inaction” when she “expressed in previous months threats to my person and continuing threats to the life of OVP personnel.” – Rappler.com