Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the scheduled inquiry set by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday as she will be hosting a "Thanksgiving" party for reporters covering the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Duterte, citing advice from her legal counsel, stated that she is permitted to forgo attending the investigation and instead submit a sworn 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," the Vice President told reporters in Davao City on Monday night.
"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," she added
The NBI sent a subpoena to the Vice President on Monday following her previous statements during an online press conference, where she claimed she had already contracted an individual to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if the alleged plot against her succeeded.
Duterte was initially issued a subpoena to appear at the NBI on November 29, but she requested the bureau to reschedule, as she planned to attend a House hearing on that date. The House committee subsequently postponed its inquiry to allow Duterte to comply with the NBI subpoena, but Duterte stated that she was informed of the schedule change too late.
In an exclusive interview during Dos Por Dos, NBI Director Jimmy Santiago said that they will assess if Duterte's reason is "justifiable."
"Ganun pa man, nakahanda pa rin kami. Aantayin pa rin namin siya mamayang alas-10 kung darating siya o hindi. Tulad ng sinabi ko dati, kung mayroong dahilan ay titingnan kung justifiable," he said.
Santiago stated that they will still review the affidavit to determine if it is sufficient for their needs, including verifying the Vice President's claim that there are threats to her life.
"Titingnan po namin yung ipapadala niyang sworn statement kung sufficient na ba yun, kung nasagot yung mga gusto naming katanungan sa kanya, kasama na yung sinasabi niyang may threat sa kaniyang buhay," Santiago said.
If Duterte's statements are found to be insufficient, Santiago said they would decide whether to compel the Vice President to attend the inquiry to clarify her statements.
For Santiago, not attending an inquiry is akin to waiving one's right to present their side.
Santiago said they would determine their next steps once the sworn statement had been reviewed.
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 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.
Duterte earlier said she welcomes the impeachment complaints filed in the House of Representatives as she can "finally answer" the accusations against her and will no longer affect officials from the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
"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," she remarked.
