Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Faced w/ Summons by NBI over Remarks
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President still failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today despite that the House hearing over the Office of the Vice President (OVP) budget was cancelled.
The recent remarks of Vice Pres. Duterte against Pres. Bongbong Marcos did not sit well with several authorities. While the Vice President claim that her remarks were taken out of context, the authorities saw the need to investigate her statements.
Vice Pres. Duterte claimed that the death of Pres. Bongbong Marcos is part of her “final wish” in case a plot against her succeeds. The Vice President also asserted that the Marcos government allegedly wants to remove her from her position.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena urging Vice Pres. Duterte’s appearance today, Friday, November 29, 2024, at their headquarters. The investigation bureau wants the VP to explain her remarks to Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and the chief executive’s cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
However, previously, the Vice President claimed that she asked the NBI to reschedule her appearance as she will be attending a hearing set by the House panel. A committee is investigating the Confidential Funds use of the OVP and the DepEd.
The NBI previously said that it sees no problem with regards her request to reschedule her appearance. However, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s reason to the NBI did not sit well with several House lawmakers. House panel chairperson and Manila Representative Joel Chua stressed that it is like they were used as an excuse for her not to appear before the NBI.
“Kaya po ayun nga po yung pinarating sa akin ng mga kasama ko na parang ang nangyari kami pa ang nagiging dahilan o nagiging excuse para hindi siya maka-attend,” The Manila solon said.
Thus, the House panel decided to postpone the hearing to pave the way for Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to be able to respond to the subpoena of the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation). However, based on a report on GMA News, the legal counsel of the Vice President announced that she cannot go to the NBI today.
“Hindi po siya makakarating today,” Attorney Paul Lim said.
The lawyer of the Vice President did not speak further on the reason why she cannot go to the NBI today but the investigation bureau did. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that it was late already when the VP found out that her appearance to the House hearing has been cancelled.
The NBI appearance of the Vice President is tentatively moved to December 11. According to Santiago, he will also check on the claim of Duterte regarding the alleged threats to her life.
Recently, a member of the House of Representatives claimed that an impeachment complaint is being prepared against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The complaint is reportedly set to be filed this December.