THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently reviewing the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the alleged threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“We have been informed that the NBI has completed its investigation. However, further evaluation is necessary to determine whether the case warrants a preliminary investigation,” DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon stated during a Palace briefing on Monday.
Fadullon confirmed that DOJ prosecutors would assess the evidence submitted by the NBI. “Depending on the outcome, we will make a recommendation on whether to proceed with filing the case before the department or return it to the NBI for further case buildup and additional evidence,” he explained.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez emphasized that the evaluation process is an integral part of the “case buildup.” “If the evidence is deemed sufficient, a formal preliminary investigation will be initiated,” Vasquez said.
The investigation focuses on allegations of grave threats, potentially in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The probe was triggered by Duterte’s claim during a midnight press briefing in November, where she alleged that someone had been tasked to assassinate President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez if a plot to kill her succeeded.
Duterte later clarified that her remarks had been “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
The DOJ and NBI are working closely to ensure the evidence on hand is thoroughly analyzed before deciding on the next steps in the legal process.