NBI: No advance questions for VP Sara in probe

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday it will not provide Vice President Sara Duterte with a list of questions ahead of her appearance in the agency’s probe into her controversial statement about contracting someone to kill President Marcos.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said yesterday that the agency will ask Duterte about her remarks, which she made during an online media conference at the House of Representatives.

Santiago said that probers will inquire about the person she allegedly tasked to kill the President if an alleged plot against her materialized.

“We don’t provide advance questions,” he said in an interview over dzBB.

“We will ask her why she made such a statement and why she said she contracted someone. Those are the usual questions, but we cannot disclose any other questions in advance,” Santiago added.

Duterte was initially scheduled to appear before the NBI on Nov. 29, but her legal team requested a rescheduling to allow more time for preparation. The hearing has been reset to Dec. 11.

The Vice President’s camp has also asked the NBI for a clear copy of the complaint filed against her, as well as other relevant documents initiating the investigation.

They also requested a list of questions, which the NBI declined to provide.

Santiago said Duterte’s cooperation in the investigation would help clarify the threats she claimed were directed at her and Marcos.

“If she does not cooperate, we will consider it a waiver of her right to explain or justify why she made such a threat against the President, First Lady, and Speaker of the House,” he said.

The NBI launched the investigation after serving a subpoena to Duterte last Nov. 26.

Duterte’s remarks included threats against Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, if harm came to her.

Santiago said that the NBI, which is tasked with protecting key government officials, is treating the matter as a serious security concern.

Horrifyingly similar, says Teves lawyer

Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., said Duterte’s recent statements claiming the Marcos administration is using the “Teves playbook” against her reveal “horrifyingly similar” circumstances.

Teves has been tagged as the mastermind in the March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and others, and is currently in Timor-Leste.

He was expelled from Congress and is facing warrants of arrest for the murder of Degamo, as well as three other people killed in 2019.

“The subject of political liquidation is demonized through the media and painted as a violent person; then, his security detail is withdrawn, making him feel helpless; then the rubber-stamp House of Representatives is used to isolate the target politically. Fabricated charges are soon to follow,” Topacio said.

Topacio also expressed concerns about the alleged misuse of the anti-terror law, saying it was used against Teves.

Topacio believes that the alleged campaign to undermine Duterte’s political standing could escalate, potentially involving a raid on her residence.

He also criticized the Department of Justice for being “weaponized” to serve as an instrument for “pernicious lawfare” against the political enemies of the administration. – Daphne Galvez