Manila, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday formally submitted a criminal complaint recommendation at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Vice President Sara Duterte as the respondent.
This is in regards to the Duterte’s statement in an online press conference, seemingly threatening assassination attempts against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza-Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Huwag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘pag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez. Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag namatay ako, huwag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said ‘yes,'” Duterte said in a press brefing in 2024.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a teleradio interview that the bureau have recommended the filing of inciting to sedition and grave threat versus the vice president.
“Naisubmit na nga po namin sa Department of Justice (DOJ) at ang magtitimbang timbang ng aming mga ebidensya ay ang DOJ, whether they will conduct a preliminary investigation on the matter,” Santiago added.
It can be recalled that NBI had subpoenaed Duterte two times to appear before the agency during their investigation over the alleged threats and assassination remarks.
Duterte failed to adhere on both subpoenas and only had her lawyer submit her letter denying the accusations.
NBI, however, clarified that there is no political motivation behind this, and that it is a separate process from Duterte’s impeachment.
Meanwhile, Vice President’s camp replied on this move with a comment: “As expected.”