Vice President Sara Duterte skipped her appearance at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, explaining that cases would be filed against her whether or not she complied with the subpoena.
The subpoena pertains to Vice President Sara Duterte's controversial remarks made during a virtual press conference, in which she claimed to have hired someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Marcos, in the event that she herself is assassinated.
In a press briefing, she mentioned that her lawyers had presented her with options, and when she asked them if she needed to go to the NBI, they informed her that there were alternatives to attending.
"I can send a letter, I can send a position letter, I can send an affidavit and so we decided that a letter will be sent to the NBI," said Duterte.
She stated that everything she would include in her affidavit has already been detailed in the letter they sent to the NBI.
The Vice President believes that the investigation will not be fair, citing the recent statement of the President regarding her alleged "criminal act," which he said he would not let slide.
"So makita na natin, the pronouncements of the President, mayroon nang bias doon," she added.
She also pointed to a recent statement by Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Jesse Andres, allegedly claiming that she poses a threat.
Duterte clarified that threats come in various forms, but based on the statement from the DOJ official, she said she already expects that it reflects the agency's stance as well.
"So kahit pa man pumunta ako doon, hindi ako pumunta doon, we believe and I believe that cases will be filed," said Duterte.
"Kahit pa sabihin nila na mayroong imbestigasyon, sa simula pa lang nagdesisyon na sila na magfile sila ng cases," she added.
Worst case scenario
The Vice President mentioned that the worst-case scenario for her could involve removal from office - possibly through impeachment, along with multiple charges, which her lawyers have already advised her to anticipate.
“Clearly, the pronouncement of the President and the Usec. of DOJ point to cases to be filed," she added.
The subpoena for Duterte included charges of grave threat and violations under the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Duterte clarified that if a warrant of arrest is issued against her, she has no plans to go into hiding, as her children are here in the Philippines.
“I have no plans of doing that. I have no plans of leaving the country to hide," said Duterte.
Duterte previously missed her scheduled appearance at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office on November 29, where she was expected to participate in the ongoing investigation.
