Manila, Philippines — Following the National Bureau of Investigation’s recommendation on filing criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, related to the alleged assassination threats, teachers group ACT Teachers Partylist welcomed this move.
In a statement, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro and former ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio lauded this decision, saying that Duterte should be held accountable for these remarks.
“Dapat naman talagang mapanagot si VP Sara sa ginawa niyang pagbabanta at sana ay hindi matulad sa parehong kaso na sinampa ko sa kanyang ama,” Castro noted.
Tinio shared the same opinion, emphasizing that this measure is just the first step to actually hold VP Sara liable of the allegations against her, including her alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“This development should show that those in power should be set at a higher standard of behavior and act as responsible public officials. However, we must ensure that unlike previous cases against the Dutertes, these charges must actually lead to accountability,” Tinio said.
While this is ongoing, the group noted that proceedings for Duterte’s impeachment must remain as the top priority.
“Aside from these charges, what we and the people are waiting for is the start of the impeachment trial. Sana ay kagyat na simulan ito at huwag nang patagalin pa ang pagpapanagot kay VP Duterte sa paglustay sa pera ng taumbayan,” Castro emphasized.
SP ESCUDERO ON NBI CASE VS. VP SARA: NO IMPACT ON IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is certain that the NBI-file charges will not affect the impeachment proceedings vs. VP Sara.
He said that these cases have no bearing with the impeachment proceedings, hence, does not relate with each other’s processes.
“No, walang epekto ‘yun sa napipintong impeachment proceedings. Walang bearing ‘yun at walang kinalaman ‘yun doon. Sa katunayan, pwedeng magpatuloy ‘yan nang sabay, pwedeng mauna, pwedeng sumunod. Wala siyang bearing sa impeachment proceedings na isasagawa ng Senado,” Escudero clarified.
Escudero also noted that NBI’s evidences will not be summoned or presented in the Senate—who will act as the impeachment court—unless the prosecution and defense secures permission if they want to present the same evidences during the impeachment trial.
“They can present the same witnesses, they can present the same pieces of object or documentary evidence. That is totally up to them. Karapatan naman ng kabilang panig kung saka-sakali kung may basis sila na tutulan ang presentasyon niyan,” he added.