MANILA: Vice President Sara Duterte has been urged to comply with the rule of law and due process, as emphasized by a senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official, following her absence from a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hearing concerning alleged threats against key political figures.

According to Philippines News Agency, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres expressed the importance of public officials upholding the rule of law by participating in legal proceedings. Andres’ remarks come after Duterte failed to attend an NBI session on Wednesday, where she was expected to submit an affidavit regarding alleged threats towards President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Duterte, through her lawyer, claimed a lack of faith in receiving justice from the DOJ, citing its connection to the Office of the President. Andres countered this assertion, underscoring the independence of democratic institutions like the DOJ and law enforcement a
gencies. He advised that if the NBI proceeds with a complaint, Duterte should engage with the process by filing a counter-affidavit.

The Vice President’s absence on Wednesday marked her second nonappearance at the NBI hearing, where her lawyer Paul Lim submitted a letter expressing concerns over the DOJ’s administrative hierarchy and potential conflicts of interest. The letter further reiterated Duterte’s claims of threats to her life, while expressing confidence in the NBI’s investigation into these threats.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago noted that Duterte’s absence hindered the investigation into the alleged threats, as she did not provide specifics or evidence to support her claims. Santiago emphasized that her participation would have been crucial in identifying the source of the threats.