Duterte asks NBI to reschedule appearance

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to reschedule her appearance in response to a subpoena over her “kill” remarks against the president.

In a media briefing in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, Nov. 27, Duterte explained that the NBI appearance coincided with the next inquiry of the House committee on good government and public accountability on her fund use on Friday, Nov. 29.

The NBI summoned Duterte to its office in Pasay City to “shed light on the investigation” over alleged grave threats and possible violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

“Prinioritize namin iyong hearing sa House of Representatives…Iyon din talaga ang promise ko sa kanila simula pa mag-umpisa ng lahat ng imbestigasyon na sasamahan ko ang employees ng Office of the Vice President sa mga hearings,” she said.

[Translation: We prioritized the hearing at the House of Representatives…That has been my promise to them from the very beginning of all the investigations, that I will join the employees of the Office of the Vice President in the hearings,]

Duterte only attended two of the seven hearings.

Asked for her reaction on the subpoena, she said people are trying to make a case out of her remarks.

Duterte earlier said she ordered someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if she herself gets murdered. She later claimed her statements were made in the context of revenge.

Duterte maintained her remarks against the president were neither wrong nor illegal.

“Hindi actionable ang maghabilin ka. Walang active threat kung hindi ako mamatay,” she said.

[Translation: Making a request is not actionable. There is no active threat unless I die]

She also said there are “very serious” threats to her life.

‘Teves playbook’

The vice president also said she only laughed off at her supposed violations of the anti-terrorism law, which his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed.

“Sinusubukan nila to reach sa aking properties and assets. Kasi itong violation ng anti-terrorism law, ginawa nila ito kay Cong. Arnie Teves. So they have a playbook,”

“Gusto nila mag-cancel ng passport, gusto nila mag-red notice sa international. So hindi ka makakagalaw overseas. Gusto nila mag AMLC, anti-money laundering violations. So ibig sabihin nun i-freeze nila iyong pera mo and properties mo,” said Duterte.

[Translation: They're trying to reach my properties and assets. Because this violation of the anti-terrorism law, they did this to Cong. Arnie Teves. So they have a playbook. They want to cancel my passport. They want to issue a red notice internationally. So you won't be able to move abroad. They want to involve the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council), accusing me of anti-money laundering violations. So what that means is they will freeze your money and your properties.]

Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. was designated as a terrorist after the government implicated him in the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March 2023. He has sought political asylum in Timor Leste.