Vice President Sara Duterte failed to appear at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office today, November 29, for what was supposed to be her participation in the ongoing NBI investigation.
In a letter from her camp, Vice President Sara Duterte’s office clarified that they were only informed late about the House of Representatives’ decision to cancel today’s hearing in order to accommodate the NBI subpoena.
According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the investigation will be temporarily rescheduled to December 11.
In this regard, Santiago emphasized that all angles will be thoroughly investigated. He stated that they would examine not only the threat made by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, but also the threat to Duterte’s own life that she had mentioned.
“Unlike this threat to the President, sa kaniyang bibig nanggaling. Siya {VP Sara} ang nag=threat. Pero ‘yung nag-threat sa kaniya, hindi natin alam kung sino. Hindi niya sinasabi,” Santiago said in a press briefing on Friday at the NBI office.
“Diyan namin kailangan ang cooperation ni Vice President. Sabihin niya sa amin kung sinu-sino ‘yung mga tao na iyon. Mayroon siyang ebidensya kung sino iyon na nag-threat sa kaniya, iyon iimbestigahan po naming iyon,” he added.
Santiago first mentioned that if Duterte refuses to cooperate with the investigation, it will be regarded as a waiver of her right to provide an explanation.
Furtheremore, the NBI will proceed with its inquiry into who she may have spoken to regarding the alleged plot to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, should anything happen to her.
Santiago further clarified that the NBI's role is limited to gathering evidence and conducting an investigation.
He added that the final reports and recommendations will be handed over to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will determine whether Vice President Sara Duterte should face charges.
On November 23, Duterte made the controversial remark during a virtual press conference, claiming that she had arranged for someone to assassinate President Marcos, the First Lady, and the House Speaker in the event of her own death.
