MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Leila de Lima has expressed support for the government’s legal actions against Vice President Sara Duterte following reports that criminal charges are being considered by the police and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to the vice president’s controversial remarks.
De Lima voiced her approval on Thursday, stating that she was pleased the state is taking steps to address the issue.
This comes after Duterte publicly claimed that she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if her life was in danger.
De Lima emphasized that these actions reflect the government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law, asserting that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law.
“That is precisely why the state is taking action now through its relevant agencies, to show that no one is above the law,” de Lima stated.
She further praised the filing of cases and the involvement of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the process.
The former senator stressed the importance of demonstrating to Duterte that she is not exempt from accountability.
“We really need to show her that she is not above the law. We need to show her that there are processes in the law, in the Constitution,” de Lima said.
She added that the vice president’s behavior suggests a sense of entitlement above accountability, urging the state’s three branches—executive, judicial, and legislative—to make clear that no one is above the law.