Sara no-show at NBI, asks for rescheduling

MANILA, Philippines —  Vice President Sara Duterte begged off yesterday from her scheduled appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to answer allegations of grave threat against President Marcos, and sent instead her lawyer to explain her absence and seek a rescheduling.

At a press conference, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they had initially thought that Duterte was on her way for the 9 a.m. appointment, but it was her legal counsel Paul Lawrence Lim who showed up to deliver a letter requesting a postponement “to a later date.”

The NBI reset its appointment with the Vice President to Dec. 11, a Wednesday.

“We were expecting the Vice President to appear at 9 a.m. Her security team even checked the premises earlier, but attorney Lim arrived with a letter requesting a reset of the appearance,” Santiago said.

According to the letter, Duterte had belatedly learned of the cancellation of her appearance before the House committee on good government and public accountability. Late Thursday, the committee cancelled its scheduled hearing yesterday on Duterte’s confidential funds to deprive her of an excuse to skip her NBI appointment.

“The Vice President did not request a specific date, but after discussions with her legal counsel, we are tentatively setting her appearance for Dec. 11, around 9 or 10 a.m.,” Santiago added.

In the letter addressed to Santiago, Duterte’s legal team also requested for a clear copy of the complaint or any documents supporting the investigation, as well as a list of questions she may be asked during the inquiry.

“On this, we must respectfully clarify that since she is evidently the very subject of your criminal investigation and not an ordinary witness, our client enjoys all relevant rights under our Constitution,” the letter signed by Duterte and Lim read.

“As such, we trust you will understand our client’s need for the above information, as a requirement of due process and so that she can make an informed decision on what relevant information she may possibly provide your office in its investigation,” it added.

“We will comply with her request for due process,” Santiago said. “She is the second-highest official in the