Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Skips NBI Investigation Anew
NBI – The National Bureau of Investigation spoke on the letter sent by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte amid her absence at the probe.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation or NBI over her remarks against the Marcoses. The Vice President seemingly sparked threats on the lives of Pres. Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte said her final wish is the death of Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and the Speaker if an alleged plot against her succeeds. The NBI issued a subpoena for Duterte ordering her to appear at the NBI headquarters and explain her remarks against Marcos Jr.
However, Duterte skipped the November 29 probe. She asked it to be rescheduled as she prioritized the House panel hearing over the Confidential Funds spending of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
The National Bureau of Investigation agreed to have the probe rescheduled and it was set today, December 11. However, only the legal counsel of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte arrived at the NBI and confirmed that she will not attend the probe.
Prior to the scheduled hearing, Vice Pres. Duterte claimed that she has to attend to a thanksgiving party on the same day scheduled by the NBI for the investigation. According to her, she has to go home to Davao City after the party for the burial of her uncle.
The said party is a thanksgiving party organized by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for members of the media. It was held at the OVP headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Recently, the National Bureau of Investigation spoke on the absence of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte at the investigation. Based on a report on GMA News, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that Duterte is represented by her lawyer, Attorney Paul Lim, and he submitted a letter regarding the absence of the Vice President.
According to Santiago, it is stated in the letter that the Vice President will no longer attend the probe but denies the accusation that she threatened the President, the First Lady, and the House Speaker. The NBI Director affirmed that Duterte has waived her right to be heard by not appearing at the hearing.
“Ang sabi sa sulat ay hindi na lang a-attend si Vice President Duterte at, instead, she vehemently denies the accusation that she threatened the president, the first lady, and the speaker,” Santiago said.
Based on a report on GMA News, NBI Director Jaime Santiago also said that in the letter, the camp of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte stressed that the investigation came after the call of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
“Given these facts, you will kindly understand our client’s prudence in her cooperation with your office, and her desistance from appearing at and giving any statement on December 11,” the letter read.
Based on the report, the NBI assured that they will be “impartial” in the investigation. According to the investigation bureau’s Director, they do not blame Duterte for what she believes in but their conscience remains clean that the probe will be fair.
“Wala kaming kinikilingan. Walang pinoprotektahan, serbisyong totoo lamang,” Santiago said.
Aside from the NBI subpoena, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is also faced with impeachment complaints which she recently welcomed.