VP fails to appear before NBI
(UPDATE) VICE President Sara Duterte on Friday failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which had subpoenaed her to explain her remarks to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated. Duterte sent her lawyer instead to request a new appointment date. NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the vice president's lawyer attributed her absence to a House of Representatives hearing scheduled for the same day. The House, however, canceled the hearing to allow Duterte to comply with the NBI subpoena. "The Vice President was belatedly notified of the cancellation of the House Committee hearing. As a result, she could not be present and has asked for the hearing to be rescheduled," Santiago said at a press conference. The NBI reset Duterte's appearance on Dec. 11. Her lawyer also requested a copy of the complaint and the questions to be raised during the investigation, emphasizing her rights under due process. The lawyer said the vice president must be allowed to make an informed decision on the information she could provide. Santiago assured said the bureau would comply with the request, out of respect for Duterte's position as the country's second-highest official. During an online press conference on Nov. 23, Duterte claimed she had hired an assassin to kill the First Couple and Romualdez should an alleged threat against her own life be carried out. Duterte later said her comments were misinterpreted. Santiago considered the vice president's remarks a national security concern. But instead of pressing Duterte to further explain her no-show, he urged her to cooperate fully with the investigation. The NBI issued the subpoena on Nov. 26, citing potential violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it was willing to collaborate with the Office of the Ombudsman should it decide to take over the NBI investigation. DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV called for a more measured approach in handling the vice president's remarks to prevent further stirring up political tensions. "This is a matter of national significance, and dialogue between agencies is much better than escalating it further," Clavano said. Formal criminal charges against the vice president could mean potential jail time. The alliance between Duterte and Marcos — her partner in a landslide 2022 presidential election victory — has collapsed spectacularly in the lead-up to next year's mid-term polls, with both sides trading allegations of drug addiction. On Wednesday, Duterte said the probe into her alleged threat and an ongoing House investigation into her finances were aimed at removing her from office. Both Romualdez and Duterte are widely expected to run for president in 2028.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) VICE President Sara Duterte on Friday failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which had subpoenaed her to explain her remarks to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated.
Duterte sent her lawyer instead to request a new appointment date.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the vice president's lawyer attributed her absence to a House of Representatives hearing scheduled for the same day.
The House, however, canceled the hearing to allow Duterte to comply with the NBI subpoena.
"The Vice President was belatedly notified of the cancellation of the House Committee hearing. As a result, she could not be present and has asked for the hearing to be rescheduled," Santiago said at a press conference.
The NBI reset Duterte's appearance on Dec. 11. Her lawyer also requested a copy of the complaint and the questions to be raised during the investigation, emphasizing her rights under due process.
The lawyer said the vice president must be allowed to make an informed decision on the information she could provide.
Santiago assured said the bureau would comply with the request, out of respect for Duterte's position as the country's second-highest official.
During an online press conference on Nov. 23, Duterte claimed she had hired an assassin to kill the First Couple and Romualdez should an alleged threat against her own life be carried out.
Duterte later said her comments were misinterpreted.
Santiago considered the vice president's remarks a national security concern. But instead of pressing Duterte to further explain her no-show, he urged her to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The NBI issued the subpoena on Nov. 26, citing potential violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it was willing to collaborate with the Office of the Ombudsman should it decide to take over the NBI investigation.
DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV called for a more measured approach in handling the vice president's remarks to prevent further stirring up political tensions.
"This is a matter of national significance, and dialogue between agencies is much better than escalating it further," Clavano said.
Formal criminal charges against the vice president could mean potential jail time.
The alliance between Duterte and Marcos — her partner in a landslide 2022 presidential election victory — has collapsed spectacularly in the lead-up to next year's mid-term polls, with both sides trading allegations of drug addiction.
On Wednesday, Duterte said the probe into her alleged threat and an ongoing House investigation into her finances were aimed at removing her from office.
Both Romualdez and Duterte are widely expected to run for president in 2028.
