The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has denied allegations of political harassment after former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo accused the agency of targeting Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a press briefing on Thursday, February 13, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they filed a complaint against Duterte based on legal grounds and not her position as a Vice President.
“Remember, no one is above the law. Kung sinong nagba-violate ng law, kahit sino ka pa man, ay pananagutin ka namin,” Santiago said.
He clarified that the case was filed “not because she is a Vice President, but because she committed a crime.”
Santiago also stressed the independence of the NBI in its decision-making process.
“Wala pong makakapagdictate sa amin. Ginampanan namin ang aming tungkulin,” he said.
“At ‘yung filing of cases ay product po ‘yan ng pagpapalitan ng kuro-kuro, ng opinyon ng limang abugado. Idagdag ninyo na po ako,” Santiago added.
The NBI’s statement comes amid growing scrutiny over its handling of high-profile cases. Panelo, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, had earlier accused the agency of singling out the Vice President for political reasons.
However, Santiago dismissed these claims, reiterating that the NBI operates solely within the bounds of the law.
NBI filed a complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte earlier this week for inciting sedition and grave threats. The charges stem from her alleged statement ordering the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her were to succeed.
Duterte later clarified that her “assassination” remark was not a threat but rather a response to what she claimed was a threat to her security. She argued that her comments were “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
The Vice President did not appear personally before the NBI to address the allegations. Instead, she submitted a letter through her lawyer, denying the accusations.
The complaint adds to the mounting legal challenges against Duterte, as one of the seven Articles of Impeachment against her includes allegations of conspiring to assassinate Marcos, the First Lady, and the Speaker. (TCSP)
