The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairman and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said that the panel postponed its hearing to give way for Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte’s hearing at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
In a press conference on Thursday, Chua said that several lawmakers called him about the VP’s subpoena. He said that they agreed to postpone the hearing to pave the way for the NBI’s investigation. Moreover, Chua expressed that he did not want Duterte to use the Committee hearing as an excuse not to show up at the NBI’s investigation.
“Naniniwala kami, itong issue sa NBI ay napaka halaga. It concerns national security, kaya nag desisyon na i-postpone muna ang Committee hearing for tomorrow (Friday),” Chua said.
House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega clarified how both proceedings are important. However, the NBI’s investigation is also crucial as national security is at stake.
“Don’t get the Committee wrong, these are both equally important proceedings, especially yung hearings natin in aid of legislation. Pero napaka importante din na masagot yung mga tanong at kaukulang imbestigasyon ng NBI, kasi hindi naman biro ito,” Ortega expressed.
“These are grave threats. Sabi nga ni Chair (Chua) national security is at stake. Nakakabahala at nakakatakot,” he added.
Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun echoed the former’s words, reiterating the threats made against the President, the First Lady, and the House Speaker.
“Ayaw nating maging rason o maging hadlang ang komite (at) gawing rason ang hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee para hindi harapin ni Vice President Sara. Lalong-lalo na yung subpoena sa kanya ng NBI,” Khonghun stated.
The lawmaker said that the threats made by the VP concern national security, including the corruption allegations she’s facing.
Recently, the VP announced that she had hired someone to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Following the incident, the NBI issued a subpoena against the VP for her assassination plot.
Earlier today, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) claimed that they were informed late by the House of Representatives’ decision to postpone its hearing.
