VP Sara Duterte no-show at NBI, asks for rescheduling
NBI Director Jaime Santiago holds a press conference after Vice President Sara Duterte failed to appear at the NBI. (NOY MORCOSO / 黑料社)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte was a no-show at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, citing a scheduling mix-up.
Instead, she sent her lawyer to the bureau’s headquarters in Manila to request a resetting of her appearance to explain her inflammatory words about President Bongbong Marcos, the first lady, and the House Speaker.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Duterte’s lawyer asked for rescheduling due to an ongoing House of Representatives hearing that was supposedly scheduled for Friday.
The House of Representatives canceled Friday’s investigation to give way to the NBI’s investigation.
Article continues after this advertisementHowever, Santiago said the vice president’s counsel informed him that they were informed late by Congress.
Article continues after this advertisement“Apparently, the Vice President ay late na niya nalaman na cancelled ang kanyang appearance before the House Committee hearing. So, hindi na sya nakapunta dito and asked for a resetting,” Santiago said at a press conference.
(The Vice President was belatedly notified of the cancellation of the House Committee hearing. As a result, she could not be present and has asked for the hearing to be rescheduled.)
Santiago said the vice president will be required to appear at the NBI on December 11.
Aside from the rescheduling of her appearance, the vice president, through her counsel also asked the NBI that she be provided with a clear copy of the complaint filed against her or any other document.
She also requested the NBI to provide her the questions that they intend to ask related to the document.
“We must respectfully clarify that since she is evidently the very with subject of your criminal investigation and not an ordinary witness, our client enjoys all relevant rights under our Constitution,” read the Vice President’s letter to the NBI.
It further stated that “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.”
“We will comply with her request because of due process and out of respect because she is the second-highest official in our country,” Santiago said.
