MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte begged off yesterday from her scheduled appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to answer allegations of grave threat against President Marcos, and sent instead her lawyer to explain her absence and seek a rescheduling.
At a press conference, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they had initially thought that Duterte was on her way for the 9 a.m. appointment, but it was her legal counsel Paul Lawrence Lim who showed up to deliver a letter requesting a postponement “to a later date.”
The NBI reset its appointment with the Vice President to Dec. 11, a Wednesday.
“We were expecting the Vice President to appear at 9 a.m. Her security team even checked the premises earlier, but attorney Lim arrived with a letter requesting a reset of the appearance,” Santiago said.
According to the letter, Duterte had belatedly learned of the cancellation of her appearance before the House committee on good government and public accountability. Late Thursday, the committee cancelled its scheduled hearing yesterday on Duterte’s confidential funds to deprive her of an excuse to skip her NBI appointment.
“The Vice President did not request a specific date, but after discussions with her legal counsel, we are tentatively setting her appearance for Dec. 11, around 9 or 10 a.m.,” Santiago added.
In the letter addressed to Santiago, Duterte’s legal team also requested for a clear copy of the complaint or any documents supporting the investigation, as well as a list of questions she may be asked during the inquiry.
“On this, we must respectfully clarify that since she is evidently the very subject of your criminal investigation and not an ordinary witness, our client enjoys all relevant rights under our Constitution,” the letter signed by Duterte and Lim read.
“As such, we trust you will understand our client’s need for the above information, as a requirement of due process and so that she can make an informed decision on what relevant information she may possibly provide your office in its investigation,” it added.
“We will comply with her request for due process,” Santiago said. “She is the second-highest official in the country, and we will furnish her with the necessary documents and possible questions this afternoon,” he added.
The NBI investigation revolves around video clips where Duterte allegedly made threats against the President, the First Lady and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Santiago noted they would also investigate Duterte’s claim that her life is also under threat from assassins.
“We are investigating two points: the alleged threats she made, and her claim that her life is in danger. Both will be taken seriously. Our mandate is to investigate threats against the President, Vice President and other high-ranking officials,” the NBI chief explained.
Meanwhile, Santiago revealed the NBI will issue subpoenas to individuals identified in the video clips when the alleged threats were made.
“Those who participated in the discussions or asked questions will be asked to provide information,” he said.
When asked about the urgency of Duterte’s claim that her life is in danger, Santiago said it is up to the Vice President to file a complaint and provide evidence.
“She needs to cooperate with us by identifying the individuals who made the threats against her. If she has evidence, we will investigate,” Santiago said.
Disrespect for the law
While the NBI has shown deference to Duterte, House leaders said her decision not to appear before investigators was a show of disrespect for the rule of law.
“By refusing to comply with the subpoena, she is sending a message: the law doesn’t apply to me,” Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said.
“Her refusal is an insult to every ordinary Filipino who follows the law. If an ordinary citizen ignored a subpoena, he would face consequences immediately,” Ortega said. “Why should the Vice President be any different?”
He added that Duterte’s threatening to have Marcos, the First Lady and the Speaker assassinated was an “arrogant declaration that she is above the law.”
“That is not leadership. That is arrogance,” he added, referring to Duterte’s action. “The Vice President’s decision to ignore the NBI is not just disrespectful; it is a direct challenge to our justice system. If the second-highest official can get away with this, what’s stopping others from doing the same? This sets a terrible example for our country,” Ortega said.
He added that such defiance “deepens the divide between public officials and ordinary Filipinos.”
“The law is supposed to protect everyone equally. But how can people trust the system when leaders like the Vice President treat it as a joke? It’s as if there’s one set of rules for the powerful and another for the rest of us,” he said, while calling on the NBI “to act firmly and without fear.”
Ortega also urged Duterte to reflect on her responsibility as a public servant. “Leadership means accountability. It means showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable. VP Duterte needs to stop acting like she’s above the law and start respecting the very institutions she’s supposed to uphold. That’s the least the Filipino people deserve,” he said. “The rule of law must prevail, or we risk losing it altogether.”
For Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, Duterte’s skipping her NBI appointment indicated her lack of respect for the law.
“No one is above the law, even the Vice President. Adherence to the law is not only a responsibility of the governed, but also of the elected officials,” he said.
“Public service is not just a privilege, it is a responsibility. All of us, public servants, must be an example of good deeds, good example and responsibility. A public official who evades accountability is destroying the honor and integrity of the government that he swore to defend,” Khonghun said.
He said the committee had even cancelled its hearing on Duterte’s questionable use of her confidential funds to give her the chance to explain her side to the NBI.
“Congress has never been remiss of its duty and has been very humane to the Vice President. The courtesy was extended to allow (her to) focus on addressing whether she committed a criminal offense in her statements against the President, the First Lady and the House Speaker, but to no avail,” Khonghun said. – Elizabeth Marcelo, Jose Rodel Clapano