The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed hope that Vice President Sara Duterte will view the criminal complaints filed against her as a chance to clear her name.
Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano made this statement following the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) recommendation to the DOJ to file incitement to sedition and grave threat charges against the Vice President.
Clavano emphasized the importance of a transparent process and expressed the DOJ’s expectation that Duterte will participate in the preliminary investigation if summoned.
He noted that the Vice President has the right to submit a counter-affidavit in her defense, viewing it as an opportunity to clear her name.
Clavano clarified that the complaints are currently under review by the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to determine if there is a “reasonable certainty of conviction.”
This could lead to either additional case build-up by the NBI or a preliminary investigation resulting in court filings. The NPS is expected to complete its evaluation within a few days.
These complaints stem from Duterte’s disclosure in a previous online press conference that she had instructed someone to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed.