The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assured the public that before recommending criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, the case underwent thorough investigation and review.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Thursday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that the charges of grave threat and inciting to sedition are solely based on the Zoom meeting where Duterte allegedly made the threat.
"Limang abogado po ang nag-aral at pati po ako, binase lang namin sa elements of the crime at jurisprudence," said Santiago.
"So, pinag-aralan po namin mabuti ‘yan bago man kami humantong sa final decision na dapat makasuhan [si VP Sara Duterte]," he added.
In November 2024, Duterte mentioned during a virtual press conference that she had arranged for someone to kill President Marcos Jr., House Speaker Romualdez, and the First Lady if she gets assassinated.
Malacañang quickly deemed the statement an "active threat" and called the Presidential Security Group to take immediate and appropriate action.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law while expressing concern over the alarming statements, which included the reckless use of profanity and threats of planned assassinations.
"Yung grave threat po ay anchored po ‘yon doon sa Zoom meeting niya na kung saan dineklara niya na ‘pag siya ay napatay o ‘pag siya ay namatay, may inutusan na siyang tao na papatay kay Pangulong BBM, First Lady, at kay Speaker," NBI Director Santiago explained.
Santiago further explained that the charge of inciting to sedition arises from the full context of the virtual meeting, suggesting that Duterte's remarks seemed to encourage her followers to take to the streets and create a disturbance.
He then criticized a recent statement from former presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, who suggested that Santiago return to law school after recommending the filing of criminal charges against Duterte.
Panelo claimed that the recommendation was allegedly politically motivated, asserting that it was part of a continued effort by Duterte's political opponents to discredit her and eliminate her from the 2028 presidential race.
However, the NBI Director reiterated that the criminal charges recommended by the agency are appropriate.
"Yung sinasabi niya na wala naman daw tumultuous, disturbance, gano’on, kaya nga po inciting, wala pang disturbance," he added.
Meanwhile, the NBI reportedly did not recommend filing charges against any media members in connection with Duterte's alleged threat.
The NBI had previously issued subpoenas to media members and vloggers during the virtual conference.
"Nagbabakasakali po kami na ‘yung taong kinakausap niya [Duterte] ay nandon o baka nabanggit. Para malaman namin kung sino po ‘yung tao na ‘yon [inutusang pumatay kay PBBM, First Lady, at House Speaker]," said Santiago.
"Wala po kaming kinasuhan na media, wala po kaming kinasuhan na vlogger na nag-attend nung Zoom meeting na ‘yon ni ma’am VP," he added.
He then clarified that once the person allegedly ordered by Duterte to carry out her "kill order" is identified, the individual will not be held accountable, as no overt act has been committed yet.
