Claire Castro says grave threats charges filed vs. Sara Duterte 'not enough'

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Thursday expressed belief that Vice President Sara Duterte should face more charges for her controversial remarks that she hired someone to kill President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and others if she herself gets killed.

Based on her personal opinion, Castro said there was an "element of inciting to sedition" regarding Duterte's statement.

"As I've said, that's not enough… As a lawyer, if you will watch the video in full, its effect is there is this intention to sow hatred against the President, against the government," Castro said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"So, it is not just a simple grave threats. Personally, my opinion… For me, but I cannot go against the DOJ, there is this element of inciting to sedition," she added, referring to the Department of Justice.

The DOJ on Tuesday filed charges of grave threats against Duterte, under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The bail was set at P120,000.

The Justice Department said the prosecutors found that "there was prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict the Vice President."

The complaint for inciting to sedition, meanwhile, was dismissed "for the sole reason that the panel of prosecutors did not find prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction," said the agency.

According to Castro, Duterte may face the grave threats charges and the impeachment trial both at the same time.

"Iba po ang nature ng criminal case, iba ang nature ng impeachment proceedings. Sa impeachment proceedings kasi, dito inaalam kung 'yung leader ay dapat na maging leader pa. 'Yung kanyang kapasidad, 'yung kanyang mental health, 'yung kanyang pagiging agresibo, 'yung anger management—ito lahat ay dapat na nakikita kung ikaw ay magiging leader," she said.

(The nature of a criminal case is different from the nature of impeachment proceedings. In impeachment proceedings, this is where we determine if a leader should still be a leader. The capacity, mental health, aggressiveness, anger management—all of this should be considered if you are going to be a leader.)

"Ang criminal case naman, ito ay 'yung liability dahil gumawa ka ng isang krimen. So magkaiba po siya. So puwede po siyang pagsabayin," she added.

(A criminal case is the liability because you committed a crime. So this is different. Meaning, she can face both.)

The Vice President earlier said her remarks were "maliciously taken out of logical context." She also clarified that her "assassination" statement was not a threat, saying she only highlighted the alleged threat to her security.

The camp of Duterte earlier argued that the vice president cannot be prosecuted for grave threats while her impeachment trial is ongoing, saying the criminal charge involves allegations that are also part of the impeachment case against her.

GMA News Online is seeking comment from the Office of the Vice President regarding Castro's statement. — VDV, GMA News