NBI issues subpoena to VP Sara Duterte over ‘assassination’ remarks

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:16 p.m.) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) served a subpoena on Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, November 26, regarding her “assassination” remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

NBI personnel served the summons to Duterte on Tuesday afternoon at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City.

In an interview with DZBB on Tuesday morning, NBI Director Jaime Santiago explained the agency would issue a summons for Duterte to explain her side regarding the alleged threat to her own life.

“Actually, isa sa pakay namin kung bakit isu-subpoeana namin ng vice president ay para masabi niya formally 'yung sinasabi niya na tangka sa kanyang buhay. Kasi wala pa naman kami formal na reklamo na natatanggap mula sa kanya,” Santiago said. 

(Actually, one of the reasons we plan to subpoena the vice president is to allow her to formally state her claim about the alleged threat to her life. So far, we have not received any formal complaint from her.)

In a Palace press conference on Monday, Santiago said the agency would give her five days to appear before the NBI to provide an explanation and answer questions.

Santiago added that if Duterte ignores the summons, the NBI will proceed with the evidence it currently holds and file appropriate charges if justified.

In a copy of the subpoena obtained by Philstar.com, Duterte was asked to "shed light on the investigation" into the alleged grave threats and possible violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

This stemmed from Duterte's remarks during a November 23 virtual press conference, where she threatened to assassinate the Marcoses and Romualdez, a statement she repeatedly insisted was “taken out of context.”

In response to Duterte’s “threats,” the National Security Council stated the vice president’s remarks against Marcos are considered a threat to national security. The Executive Secretary has also referred the “active threat” to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action.

Santiago said that Duterte's pronouncement qualifies as one of the elements of a grave threat.

"'Yan po ay