Philippine police officials have filed criminal complaints against Vice-President Sara Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders in a recent altercation in Congress.
The criminal complaints were filed by Quezon City police and are separate from any legal action that may arise after she publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the speaker of the House of Representatives assassinated in an unspecified plot. She has not provided details of that plot.
A presidential adviser, Larry Gadon, has also filed a Supreme Court petition to disbar the Vice-President as a lawyer, citing her assassination threats as “illegal, immoral, and condemnable.”
The legal offensive against Ms. Duterte, her father, and their allies is a critical juncture in a conflict between the two most powerful families in the Philippines.
Speaking in a news conference, the Vice-President denied and downplayed the criminal complaints, allegations, and potential lawsuits against her. She stated that the government actions were aimed at removing her from office, freezing her properties, and barring her from traveling abroad.
Ms. Duterte acknowledged the real danger to her life but emphasized that the threats she made were not actual and illegal. She expressed doubts about the possibility of reconciliation with the President.
The Department of Justice is looking into potentially seditious remarks made by Mr. Duterte and is proceeding with an investigation into his statements.
The criminal complaints for assaulting, disobeying, and grave coercion against police authorities were filed against the Vice-President and her security staff before state prosecutors. Such crimes are punishable by a jail term and a fine.
The complaints stemmed from a squabble in the House of Representatives where the Vice-President’s chief of staff was temporarily detained for obstructing a congressional inquiry.
Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized the importance of accountability and the rule of law, stating that resistance and disobedience to authority undermine public trust.
Authorities have delivered a subpoena to the Vice-President’s office, inviting her to answer questions about the threats she made. Mr. Marcos has vowed to fight against the alleged criminal plot and uphold the rule of law.
The conflict between the two leaders has deepened over key differences, leading to Sara Duterte’s resignation from the Marcos Cabinet and becoming a vocal critic of the President and his allies.
Published – November 27, 2024 06:36 pm IST
