Sara Duterte's Controversial Remarks: A Legal and Political Storm in the Philippines

 

The House panel investigating the confidential expenses of the offices led by Vice President Sara Duterte has postponed its Friday hearing to accommodate the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) subpoena that requires her presence on the same day. House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairperson Rep. Joel Chua explained that the decision was made to avoid being used as an excuse for Duterte not attending the NBI investigation, which concerns national security.

Other lawmakers, including Committee Vice Chairperson Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, supported the decision, emphasizing that the committee does not want to be a reason for Duterte not facing the NBI subpoena, especially given the serious nature of the issue related to national security.

The NBI subpoenaed Duterte to explain her statement that she contacted an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, should an alleged plot to kill her succeed. Duterte had requested to reschedule the summons to prioritize a hearing at the House of Representatives, where her aides were being questioned on the use of confidential funds.

In other news, the detention order issued by the House panel against OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez will end on Saturday. She was previously cited in contempt for “undue interference” in House proceedings after writing a letter to the Commission on Audit to keep confidential its audit reports on the OVP and the Department of Education’s 2022 and 2023 confidential funds. Last Monday, Lopez sought to be excused from the House Committee on Good Government hearing, citing “acute stress disorder” and being admitted to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Rep. Chua mentioned that they are inquiring about the real health condition of Atty. Lopez from the House Sergeant at Arms, and once they receive the information, they will discuss it. Rep. Khonghun added that the committee needs to ensure the safety of Atty. Lopez before she faces the ‘Blue Ribbon’ committee.