26 Nobyembre,2024 Martes
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
NBI to subpoena VP Sara
By Nidz Godino
“Immediate investigation is necessary and we have legal recourse for NBI to issue subpoena against Vice President to, let her explain her remarks,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will summon Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to explain her public declaration that she had contracted hitman to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza and cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez should alleged plot on her life succeed.
Andres said government is taking Duterte’s remark as “serious and active threat,” considering that it emanated from second highest ranking official in the country, “influential and powerful.”
He stressed NBI will undertake all processes necessary to identify supposed hitman hired by the Vice President. Department of Justice has jurisdiction over NBI.
“We are not leaving any stone unturned, we will take every effort to protect the President and to investigate everyone that could possibly be involved in this assassination plot of the three high-ranking officials of government,” Andres told Palace reporters. The First Lady is not government official.
Asked if Duterte’s pronouncement can serve as grounds for her impeachment, Andres replied: “Impeachment is constitutional option that is vested in the House of Representatives to initiate and eventually elevated into Senate. It is not within ambit of our authority to determine whether this should be ground for impeachment.”
“But I will only say that there are serious violations of law in these acts. ..so we will leave it up to Congress to make that determination,” he said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said out of courtesy and due process, agency is giving Duterte five days to appear before NBI and give her explanation and answer questions. NBI is set to issue subpoena today.
Santiago said they have no leads yet on identity of supposed hitman but this would be cleared up if Duterte follows subpoena and gives explanation on her remarks.
Should Duterte snub summons, NBI will proceed with whatever evidence it has in its possession and file corresponding cases if warranted.
“Prosecution office will determine whether there is prima facie evidence and certainty of conviction before case is filed in court,” Santiago explained.
For his part, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon explained purpose of subpoena is to ensure due process is observed and Duterte is given opportunity to present her side. If Duterte refuses to comply, government will not wait until she is “good and ready.”
“Whatever evidence is in possession of or will be in possession of NBI based on its investigation outside of any statement or any cooperation coming from them is something that we can work on already…if they refuse to answer, we cannot do anything but to comply with law and adhere to it based on evidence that we have,” he said.
Andres explained there is “nothing personal” about proceedings against Duterte and government is just showing that no one is above the law and accountability can be exacted from anybody.
“We will do what is necessary under the Constitution and in accordance with Constitution,” he said.
Fadullon said investigation would also look into motivation of Duterte for making threat and to put it in context of current circumstances.
“We will be careful in going over events leading to statements that were pronounced by the Vice President,” he said.
While law enforcement agencies earlier dismissed as mere “metaphor” previous statements of Duterte of wanting to behead the President, Andres said her latest remarks can no longer be dismissed when she herself said it was “no joke.”
“It is not for anyone to speak in that manner, to disrupt public order, by making threats especially on the life of anyone, more so life of the Chief Executive… so we have to put our foot down on this matter,” Andres said.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is also set to investigate Vice President, according to its chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre III.
He clarified though that investigation would focus on the incident of Duterte making such pronouncements and not on the Vice President herself.
“The instruction is to investigate incidents…we are determining facts, establishing what transpired and creating chronological record…from there, we will analyze and compare these facts with applicable laws,” Torre explained.
Torre said CIDG also aims to determine veracity of Duterte’s “hitman” claim, which he acknowledged could be “figure of speech.”
“We will determine if there is indeed hitman or if this is something else entirely,” he said.
Torre noted that investigation is still in its early stages and that timeline will depend on information gathered.
“Criminal investigation cannot be rushed. It may take a day, a week or longer, depending on complexity of case,” he said.
Torre said CIDG will submit report on its investigation along with recommendations to appropriate authorities.
He also reiterated that probe seeks to uncover truth and determine if laws were violated.
“CIDG is committed to impartiality and thoroughness in this case,” Torre said.
Meanwhile, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo noted that investigation would cover other people.
“CIDG is collating evidence, including words and actions of all involved,” Fajardo said.
She confirmed that PNP is also reviewing its personnel’s actions during transfer of Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from St. Luke’s Medical Center to Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Transfer, ordered by Congress, was marred by tension.
Fajardo said National Security Council (NSC) has deemed safety and security of President Marcos and his family national security concern, requiring adjustments in security protocols.
“PNP is prepared to provide additional personnel for Malacañang’s security upon request,” Fajardo said.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, have called on authorities to investigate Duterte’s threat thoroughly.
“Threats to lives of high government officials and their families must be thoroughly investigated, especially by NBI,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said.
“We need to identify person VP Duterte spoke to, the one who allegedly assured her that he could carry out such an act…who is this person?” Pimentel said.
Additionally, Pimentel warned that this latest development could have political consequences, particularly for budget allocation of OVP.
“We may have to reconsider OVP’s funding. Given her behavior, perhaps she and her office do not deserve increased budget,” Pimentel added.
Sen. Joel Villanueva is sticking to his position that OVP’s budget should be augmented.
“I will remain consistent with what I said to increase OVP budget… we don’t think about personalities. I only consider office, the office itself…so, that’s all I can say but of course, other members have their different opinions about what just transpired recently,” Villanueva told reporters in chance interview.
Like Villanueva, Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate finance committee, said budget allocations should not be personality-based.
“It should never have affected that. It’s not personality… just see tomorrow… I’m signing the committee report,” Poe added.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said adjustments in OVP budget depend on decision of majority.
At the House, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores called Duterte’s pronouncements “deeply alarming and raises serious national security concerns.”
“We must ascertain who this ‘mystery assassin’ is…is this individual part of Vice President’s trusted security detail, member of notorious syndicate or hired gun… fact that Vice President Duterte claims to have personally communicated with this person, allegedly agreed to her directive, indicates close and trusted relationship,” he added.
He also urged Marcos to consider disbanding Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group organized just days before former president Rodrigo Duterte left office.
ISKUP! 