VICE President Sara Duterte has opted to skip her second scheduled appearance at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), choosing instead to host a thanksgiving event for reporters covering the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Duterte explained that her lawyers advised her that her presence was not necessary at the NBI, which is currently investigating her for alleged threats made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez during an expletive-laden online press conference on Nov. 23.
“I am also unavailable on that day because, aside from that [legal advice], we will hold our thanksgiving activities [with the media] on Dec. 11,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City on Monday night. She added that after the event, she would return to Davao for her uncle’s burial.
NBI Summons and Investigation
The NBI had initially subpoenaed Duterte to appear on Nov. 29, but she requested a reschedule due to a planned appearance at a House committee hearing. The hearing was later postponed to allow her compliance with the NBI’s summons, but Duterte said she was informed of the change too late.
A second subpoena was issued for Dec. 11, coinciding with the thanksgiving lunch party organized by the OVP in Mandaluyong City. Invitations to the event were sent to media outlets, including the Inquirer, last week.
The NBI’s investigation focuses on Duterte’s remarks, where she allegedly discussed assassinating President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez under a hypothetical scenario involving her own death. Duterte has since defended her statements, asserting that they were hypothetical and conditional.
Allegations of Fund Mismanagement
Aside from the NBI inquiry, Duterte faces scrutiny over her handling of P612.5 million in confidential funds during her leadership of both the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2023.
A congressional investigation has revealed potential misuse of funds, including the submission of receipts signed by individuals later found to be nonexistent, such as “Mary Grace Piattos” and “Kokoy Villamin.” The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) confirmed that out of 667 names listed as beneficiaries, 405 had no birth records, and many lacked marriage or death certificates.
The House committee on good government and public accountability has requested verification of an additional 1,992 names connected to the OVP’s liquidation reports. Discrepancies have also emerged, such as similar penmanship across receipts, questionable expenses for “safe houses,” and the distribution of funds to over 100 individuals in a single day.
Calls for Accountability
The findings have intensified calls for accountability, with two impeachment complaints filed against Duterte last week. Civil society leaders and activists accuse the Vice President of betraying public trust and misusing public funds.
Manila Representative Joel Chua, who chairs the House panel, noted that the irregularities bolster suspicions of fabricated documentation to justify expenditures. Duterte resigned from her position as DepEd Secretary in June, citing policy disagreements with the Marcos administration.
As the investigations progress, Duterte’s legal and political challenges continue to mount, placing her tenure and future political aspirations under scrutiny.