Duterte snubs NBI subpoena, reset to Dec. 11

Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte snubbed the subpoena of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which ordered her to appear at its headquarters Friday, Nov. 29, in connection to her “kill” remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a briefing, NBI director Jaime Santiago confirmed Duterte’s non-attendance, saying the vice president’s camp had requested to reset the investigation. NBI said it is rescheduling the next probe to Dec. 11.

In a letter signed and authorized by Duterte on Nov. 28, Paul Lawrence Lim, legal counsel of the vice president, said their client requested the investigation be rescheduled due to scheduling conflict, citing the eighth inquiry of the House committee on good government and public accountability on her fund use.

The panel postponed the scheduled inquiry past 3 p.m. on Thursday.

“Our client respectfully requests for a clear copy of the complaint filed against her or any other document that initiated this investigation, including all attachments, if any; and questions you intend to ask of her, regarding the above documents or subject matter of your investigation,” Lim said in the letter.

Santiago said it will review Duterte’s request, including her asking for the questions she will be asked in advance.

The NBI said it is also planning to subpoena some of those who attended the online briefing, which includes the vice president’s staff and members of the media.

“Kapag walang justifiable reason bakit hindi makaka-appear, we will proceed, tapusin na namin iyong investigation based on what we are holding,” said Santiago if Duterte and other invited individuals fail to attend the next investigation.

According to the NBI, it will also probe supposed threats to the vice president’s life.

Duterte earlier said she asked someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and some members of his family, if she herself gets murdered. She later claimed her statements were “taken out of logical context” and were made in the context of revenge.

‘That is not leadership, that is arrogance’

House lawmakers, meanwhile, slammed Duterte’s non-attendance in the NBI probe.

In a press release, House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega said “her refusal is an insult to every Filipino who follows the law.”

“By refusing to comply with the subpoena, she is sending a message: ‘The law doesn’t apply to me.’ That is not leadership. That is arrogance,” Ortega said in a press release.

House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jay Khonghun echoed a similar sentiment.

“Sana harapin niya diretso dahil kawawa ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan kapag nasa-subpoena…Dito natin makikita natin na kapag ikaw ba ay makapangyarihan at mayaman eh hindi ka na kailangang humarap sa mga ganitong klaseng patawag?,” Khonghun said in an online briefing.

[Translation: I hope she faces it head on because ordinary citizens suffer when they are subpoenaed…Does this mean being powerful and wealthy means having no longer to face this kind of summons?]

The Office of the Vice President has yet to respond to the NBI’s new order.