NBI says it will subpoena Sara

(UPDATE) THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday said it is set to issue a subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte over her threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos assassinated.

In a briefing in Malacañang, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they are looking to serve the subpoena at the soonest possible time, after which Duterte will have five days to appear before the agency to air her side. Vice President Sara Duterte, together with officials of the Department of Education, attends the hearing of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the House of Representatives. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

The agency's team of lawyers rolled out the investigation on Saturday, Nov. 23, immediately after the vice president's virtual press conference where she threw various accusations against the first couple as well as House Speaker Martin Romualdez. She also said she had contacted an assassin to kill the first couple and Romualdez if something bad happened to her.

"We are already doing it, and we will serve it as soon as we can. She will be given a chance to explain her side," Santiago said.

"The NBI has primary jurisdiction to investigate threats on the President down to the chief justice. So, we will not take this lightly. When we received the video clips of what Vice President Sara said, we immediately conducted an investigation," he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is tapping all law enforcement agencies "to investigate the whereabouts and the identity of this person or persons who may be plotting against the President."

"In the light of recent events, very alarming events, the government is taking action to protect our duly elected president. The premeditated plot to assassinate the president, as declared by the self-confessed mastermind, will now face legal consequences," DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres said in the same briefing.

"Definitely, we will take it as a serious threat because it came out from the mouth of the vice president. The government's investigation on this matter will be done right away. It's important to know how steps were taken to employ an assassin and plot a hit on the president," Andres said in English and Filipino.

He said they don't believe the threat was "taken out of its logical context," as Duterte insisted.

"We will do everything to have a fair and extensive investigation. We will put into proper context her statements. But I simply recall that when she answered certain questions and she declared the plot to assassinate the president, she even immediately added, 'This is no joke. I did it, and I wanted to make sure that this person will do it, to its completion.' Again, we will give the vice president a chance to explain," the official said.

"The National Bureau of Investigation will take all the necessary steps to unveil the identity of the assassin, including the issuance of a subpoena for Vice President Sara to appear before the NBI so she may shed light on her statements because she directly stated that she secured the services of an assassin who will kill the president, the first lady, and the speaker of the House. These are improper statements from a high-ranking official of our nation," he said.

Duterte justified her remarks as a defense mechanism due to the threat to her own life and claimed that a member of her security detail tried to kill her.

But Santiago said they have not received any information about a threat against the life of the vice president.

Andres noted that this was not the first time Duterte wished ill on Marcos, having previously expressed her supposed desire to behead him.

"That is why we are not leaving any stone unturned. We will take every effort to protect the president and to investigate everyone that could possibly be involved in this assassination plot of the three high-ranking officials of the government,'' Andres said.

Duterte, he stated, "is not immune from suit" and will be dealt with the "full force of the law."

"She can be the subject of any criminal, administrative case, and the Ombudsman also has authority to do its duty to discipline and to take necessary measures to deliver on its mandate as the investigator of all high-ranking government officials. So, it is within the authority of the Ombudsman to act on this matter as well," Andres said.

"There are many legal possibilities, particularly if it is established there is a conspiracy to make an attempt on the life of our chief executive," Andres said. "Right now, we are open to all possible crimes, and we are not looking at one particular... criminal offense. But as I said, there will be criminal and other legal liabilities that will be enforced against the plotters and those who will execute it and those two took part in it. So, we will complete the investigation and definitely, we will file the appropriate cases. But we will not identify the particular offense at this point."

The DOJ could also file a disbarment case against Duterte. A sedition charge is also possible, he said.

"Based on our initial study, sedition is a possibility. We are not closing our eyes on other possible criminal offenses, even graver than sedition. But grave threats and sedition are obviously being considered, but we are not making that determination now. Due process warrants that every angle should be investigated. Every party should be given an opportunity to be heard ... In due time, we will make that determination to file the appropriate case," Andres said.

The Philippine National Police also said they are studying possible complaints that may be filed against the vice president.

"Definitely, they are looking for some violation of applicable and relevant laws," said PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, noting that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was looking into the case and would make its recommendations.

Both the NBI and PNP said impeachment was also a possibility, but this was within the jurisdiction of Congress.

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