Sara Duterte urged by DOJ to attend NBI probe

A top official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday urged Vice President Sara Duterte to attend the inquiry of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into her controversial kill remark against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

This, as Duterte announced that she intends to again skip the NBI probe scheduled on Wednesday, December 11.

“Well, that's part of the legal process. If they believe that she's better off not attending, that's their lookout. That's a matter that would be left to the discretion of their defense team, but it would be best if she would present herself because that's part of the process,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said in an ambush interview in Pasay City.

“Everybody should follow the rule of law and the processes with respect to investigations by our law enforcement agencies,” he added.

Duterte was initially scheduled to appear before the NBI on November 29 to shed light on her remark that she gave orders to have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez killed if she herself gets killed.

The Vice President’s camp, however, asked the NBI to reschedule the hearing. It has been reset to December 11 to give her more time to prepare.

Last Monday, the NBI issued a new subpoena to Duterte to allow her to explain her kill remark.

Duterte, citing explanation from her lawyers, said that she is allowed not to attend the investigation and just submit an affidavit.

"Ang pagkakaintindi ko sa explanation ng mga abogado ko sa investigation ng NBI ay pwede namang hindi pumunta. Pwede naman magsubmit nalang daw ng sulat or affidavit. Pangalawa meron kaming thanksgiving na mga activities sa December 11, at pangatlo after ng thanks giving activities namin ay pauwi din ako dito sa Davao City para maglibing ng uncle ko," the Vice President said.

(As per my understanding of my lawyer’s explanation of the NBI’s investigation, I’m allowed not to attend and just submit an affidavit. Second, we have thanksgiving activities on December 11, and third after the thanksgiving activities, I’ll go back to Davao City for my uncle’s burial.)

Duterte is currently facing two impeachment complaints, the first of which was filed by advocacy groups on the grounds of alleged corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. This was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña.

The second impeachment complaint was filed by more than 70 representatives from various sectors, anchored on alleged betrayal of public trust in connection with alleged misuse of confidential funds. It was endorsed by the progressive Makabayan bloc.

Meanwhile, Vasquez said that it is up to the law enforcement agencies to file necessary complaints against Duterte before the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service.

“We will wait 'till the law enforcement agency will file the proper charges before the National Prosecution Service. We don't want to pre-empt any of these proceedings and we should let the processes proceed in its natural course,” he said.

The Vice President earlier said she welcomes the impeachment complaints filed in the House of Representatives as she can “finally answer” the accusations against her.

“So, okay din 'yung impeachment case dahil ako lang ang tinitira doon, ako lang iniimbestigahan noon. Ako lang ang inaatake ng impeachment case. Hindi na kasali ang nga kasamahan ko sa OVP and mga dati kong kasama sa DepEd,” Duterte said.

(So, it’s okay they filed an impeachment case since I’ll only be the one who's being attacked. I’ll only be the one who's being investigated. I’ll only be the one who is being attacked in the impeachment case. My staff in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education will no longer be involved.)

--VAL, GMA Integrated News