THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to cause the issuance of a subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte over her viral video admitting that she has arranged an assassination plot against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
At the same time, Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to thoroughly investigate the matter, and hunt down the supposed assassins contracted by the Vice President, to make them accountable.
These matters were emphasized during the press briefing in Malacañang today attended by Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago where the government promised accountability on VP Sara’s action even if she holds the second highest position.
It can be recalled that during a press conference held on 18 October 2024, the Vice President had already made alarming remarks against President Marcos insinuating to chop off his head.
Usec Andres explained that her statement could be taken as a mere metaphor or expression of anger at first glance.
However, connecting that to her most recent admission that she has contracted an assassin to kill the president places great weight that there is truth behind those words which is something not to be taken lightly.
“She is the beneficiary of the death of the President, so her words have to be taken in the proper context,” Usec Andres stressed.
“This is a serious threat and a very bad precedent for our country if we will not take legal action on these kinds of threats coming from a very high ranking official. We have to maintain order in a civilized society by adherence to the rule of law, and we will apply the full force of the law,” he added.
Usec Andres also said that law enforcement agents are being tapped to investigate and identify the person/s who may be plotting against the president. “We will use all government resources to find out the identity of the assassin” he added.
Social media platforms have agreed to preserve a copy of the VP’s FB live video where she said her plan against the President is not a joke.
In the name of justice and fair play, like any other case it handles, the DOJ also assured that the Vice President would be accorded ‘due process’ during the investigation.
“Our mandate is to make sure that due process is observed in all instances, subpoenas shall be issued and she will be given an opportunity to present her side.” Fadullon concluded.