Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has renewed its call for Vice President Sara Duterte to participate in the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres this is an avenue for Duterte to clarify her statements on alleged threats to her life.“Gusto natin siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon. Ang due process, binibigyan natin ang mga respondent sa subpoena ng NBI na magbigay ng kumpletong paliwanag para bigyan ng konteksto ang pahayag niya,” said Andres.Translation: We want to give her the opportunity. Due process gives respondents summoned by the NBI the chance to provide a complete explanation to contextualize their statements.] Duterte declined to attend the rescheduled hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 11, citing concerns about the NBI’s fairness.“‘Yon ang nakakalungkot na ayaw niyang gamitin ang pagkakataon na ‘yon para bigyan ng tamang konteksto na kung ano ang katotohanan, maaari niyang ilahad sa NBI para magkaroon kami ng basehan ng evaluation kung tutuloy namin ang kaso o hindi,” Andres added. [Translation: It’s unfortunate that she chose not to use the opportunity to provide proper context and reveal the truth to the NBI, which could serve as the basis for our evaluation on whether to pursue the case or not.] Andres explained that the investigation aims to allow Duterte to detail the threats she claimed to have received.“Dagdag ko lang ‘yung dahilan din ng NBI kaya siya pinapatawag para malaman natin kung ano ang binabanggit niyang banta sa kanya. ‘Wag niyang agad sa partikular na tao. Gumawa tayo ng imbestigasyon kung ano ang insidente na sa tingin niya doon nagmumula ang insidente sa kanyang buhay. Kapag nilahad niya sa NBI ‘yan magkakaroon tayo ng follow-up investigation at obligasyon din natin na protektahan ang bise-presidente dahil halal siya na opisyales ng bayan,” he said.[Translation: Let me add that the NBI’s reason for summoning her is to determine the threats she mentioned. She should not immediately point to a specific person. We should investigate the incidents she believes are tied to the threats on her life. If she shares these details with the NBI, we can conduct a follow-up investigation. It is also our obligation to protect the Vice President as an elected public official.]“Sayang hindi nagamit ang pagkakataon na ‘yon na humarap sa NBI para magbigay-linaw sa threats para matulungan din po natin sana ang ating bise-presidente,” he added.
