VP Sara told: Don't use House probe as excuse to skip NBI summon — solons

MANILA, Philippines — The Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability will postpone its eighth hearing, initially scheduled for Friday, November 29, to allow Vice President Sara Duterte to comply with the summons from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Committee chair Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District) said on Thursday, November 28, that several members requested the postponement as the hearing coincided with the NBI’s subpoena for the vice president. 

“Maraming miyembro ang tumawag po sa akin patungkol sa isyu na ito kaya napagdesisyunan na i-postpone na,” he said at a press conference. 

(Many members called me about this issue, so we decided to postpone it.)

Chua explained that the postponement ensures that Duterte cannot use the hearing as a reason to avoid appearing before the NBI on Friday. 

The NBI, through a subpoena served on November 26, required Duterte to explain the death threats she allegedly made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In the subpoena, the NBI said that Duterte may be charged with violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, signed by her father — former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

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"Kami po ay magbibigay nang [daan] para hindi kami magamit dahilan para hindi siya makarating bukas,” he said.(We will make way so that we won’t be used as an excuse for her not to attend tomorrow.)

On Wednesday, November 27, Duterte said she would be “prioritizing” the congressional inquiry into her office's alleged misuse of confidential funds during her leadership. She also appealed to the NBI to reschedule her first appearance.

The committee chair stressed the importance of Duterte’s appearance at the NBI headquarters to address the complaint in the appropriate forum.

“[Ito ay] para masagot ang complain po dito dahil naniniwala po kami na ito pong isyu sa NBI ay napakahalaga, at ito po ay it concerns national security,” Chua said. 

(This is to address the complaint because we believe that this issue with the NBI is very important, as it concerns national security.)

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