Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday expressed hope that Vice President Sara Duterte would attend the resumption of the preliminary investigation into allegations she made violent threats against top government officials.
The case stems from Duterte’s expletive-filled online briefing in November 2023, where she claimed to have hired an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged assassination attempt on her succeeded.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is handling the case after Duterte refused to respond to a prior invitation from the National Bureau of Investigation to share her side.
“I think tomorrow na ang preliminary investigation niya (the preliminary investigation is Friday), I hope she attends, because it’s her right. Dapat lang talaga yung right niya gamitin niya (She should avail of her rights),” Remulla said.
However, he clarified that attendance is not mandatory. “She knows that, she’s a lawyer,” he added.
On security concerns, Remulla said Duterte’s team can coordinate directly with the DOJ panel of prosecutors.
“Wala naman eh (There’s no coordination). I think they’ll just talk to the prosecutor for that (security). Hindi naman ako kailangan kausap nyan (She need not talk to me). They can talk to our people here. I don’t think there’ll be a problem coordinating for courtesy of the office. Syempre hindi lang tao yan eh, office yan na ginagalang natin (She is not an ordinary person, and we respect her office),” Remulla said.