Justice Secretary Urges VP Sara Duterte to Attend Investigation
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed hope that Vice President Sara Duterte will participate in the preliminary investigation set at the Department of Justice (DOJ). The probe concerns the complaint filed against her for alleged inciting to sedition and grave threats following her controversial kill remark involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others.
“I hope she attends kasi karapatan niya ‘yun. Dapat lang talaga ‘yung right niya gamitin niya,” Remulla said in a brief interview. He emphasized that attending is the Vice President’s right, although it is not mandatory under DOJ procedures.
Details of the Complaint and VP Duterte’s Response
The preliminary investigation is scheduled on Friday, May 9. Duterte earlier confirmed her intention to attend, citing the need to take an oath when submitting her counter affidavit.
In an online briefing this year, Duterte admitted she ordered someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded. However, she later clarified her statement was not a threat. Instead, she said it was meant to highlight threats to her security and that her words were taken “maliciously out of logical context.”
Prosecutor General Comments on Security Coordination
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon revealed that the Office of the Vice President has yet to coordinate with his office about security concerns related to the investigation. “Sa office namin wala. I don’t know if there was any coordination made with the investigating prosecutor,” he said.
With the preliminary investigation approaching, all eyes remain on whether VP Duterte will assert her right to attend and clarify the controversy surrounding her remarks.