Sara’s prosecution eyed over kill remark

DOJ starts probe of VP

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now investigating the “kill” remark of Vice President Sara Duterte against President Marcos, Malacañang said yesterday.

“The matter is now subject to an ongoing investigation. If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution,” Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said.

According to Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, it is “ready and willing to hear” any complaint that may be filed by the law enforcement agencies against anyone.

The DOJ will also give respondents the chance to counter the complaints against them should the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) choose to file complaints.

“It is better if we let our law enforcement agencies conclude their investigations so we can know all the facts and circumstances. If they file a complaint, the NPS (National Prosecution Service) of the DOJ is there to hear the case,” Vasquez noted.

He assured the public that if a complaint is filed, the DOJ will give all parties time to present their evidence and defense on the matter.

During an expletive-laced press conference of Duterte, she alleged that she was the subject of an assassination plot and that she ordered a member of her security team to kill the President should it succeed.

“I already talked to a person in my security. I told him if I get killed, kill BBM (President Marcos), (First Lady) Liza Araneta and (Speaker) Martin Romualdez. No joke,” Duterte said at a press conference that began after midnight. “I said, if I die, don’t stop until you have killed them.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said security detail for the President has been put on alert over an “active threat” against his life by the Vice President.

PNP probes slay plan

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is also conducting an immediate and thorough investigation into an alleged assassination plot targeting the First Couple and Romualdez, CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III told dzBB over the weekend.

“The PNP treats any threat to the safety and security of the President and all public officials with utmost seriousness,” Torre said in Filipino.

He confirmed that PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil had ordered the CIDG to prioritize the investigation.

“The safety of the President is a national concern. Any threat, direct or indirect, to his life and his immediate family must be addressed with the highest level of urgency,” Torre added, emphasizing that the matter is a top priority for law enforcement.

When asked if there are existing intelligence reports on the alleged plot, Torre said none had been received prior to Duterte’s statement.

“This morning was the first time I heard of it. I was shocked when I saw the video,” he said.

He recounted rushing to the House of Representatives earlier in the day to assist in resolving an unrelated situation, which he described as handled peacefully and in accordance with the law.

He said he has not yet spoken to Marcos, the First Lady or Romualdez about the matter.

He plans to coordinate first with their security officers, particularly the Presidential Security Command (PSC), to strategize the next steps.

Regarding his communication with Duterte, Torre said their recent discussions were focused on logistical arrangements for the transfer of Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from St. Luke’s Medical Center to Veterans Memorial Medical Center. The alleged assassination plot was not discussed.

Torre reassured the public of the PNP’s capability to handle the investigation, stating that the death threat is a serious matter and they are not taking it lightly.

On their part, the NBI verified the authenticity of a video clip circulating online, which referenced the alleged assassination plot of Duterte.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed yesterday that the agency’s Cybercrime Division had authenticated the video in response to directives from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and in coordination with the PSC.

“The NBI Cybercrime investigators have found the video clip to be authentic. It is not a deepfake or AI-generated,” he reported.

The video, reportedly involving statements made by Duterte, prompted an immediate investigation upon orders from Bersamin.

Santiago said the findings have already been submitted to Remulla as further investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday said that the National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious and are considered as a matter of national security.

“Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security. We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators and their motives,” he said.

Año underscored that the safety of the President is a nonpartisan issue.

Marcos’ party, mayors hit outburst

The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of President Marcos, yesterday strongly condemned the mortal threat of Duterte against the Chief Executive.

According to the PFP, the statements made by Duterte against the President and the First Lady are deeply alarming, undermine the rule of law and foster a culture of lawlessness and impunity.

“We, the members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, strongly and unequivocally condemn any attacks against our democracy. We reject all forms of violence, threats or actions that jeopardize the safety of our people and the stability of our nation. Such rhetoric has no place in a democracy, in a Bagong Pilipinas that values accountability, peace and order,” the PFP said.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) also expressed full support to the Marcos leadership following Duterte’s assassination threats.

“We, the officers and members comprising the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, express our unwavering support to the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. The recent pronouncement of Vice President Sara Duterte not only threatens the life of the Head of the Philippine Government but also endangers our democracy,” the LMP said in a manifesto of support.

The manifesto was signed by LMP national president and La Paz, Abra Mayor JB Bernos; LMP executive vice president for operations and Caoayan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Germy Singson-Goulart; and LMP secretary general and Barcelona, Sorsogon Mayor Cynthia Falcotelo-Fortes.

The mayors also called upon the leaders “to exercise restraint and accountability in their words and actions” and they should “prioritize the welfare of the Filipinos above personal or political interests.”

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) also expressed its support to the Marcos administration yesterday and called out Duterte over her outburst against the First Couple and Romualdez.

In a statement, the 149-member LCP described Duterte’s outburst as “both unbecoming of her office and deeply irresponsible.”

“Any suggestion or statement that the Vice President would be harmed and the heinous instruction of retaliation to, in turn, harm the President, the First Lady, the Speaker of the House or any key government official is deeply irresponsible and a grave threat to our democracy and the rule of law,” it added.

The statement was signed by LCP president Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City and national chairman Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

The LCP is an organization of city mayors nationwide. It was unclear if Duterte’s brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, took part in discussions for the issuance of the statement.

On the other hand, House Assistant Minority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. called for sobriety amid the rising political tensions between Marcos and Duterte.

He described Duterte’s comments as “disrespectful” to the President and the House of Representatives.

He urged Duterte to prioritize addressing serious issues of accountability surrounding the use of public funds, and compared the current administration’s practices with those of former vice president Leni Robredo, under whose leadership the OVP operated with a budget of P703 million in 2022. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Mark Ernest Villeza, Pia Lee-Brago, Daphne Galvez, Janvic Mateo