Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero answers questions to the media during the Kapihan sa Senado in this file photo taken in October 2024. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero on Saturday called on the allies of the Vice President Sara Duterte to advise her to refrain from making harmful remarks, following her “kill order” toward President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
According to Escudero, Duterte as a public official has the responsibility to set an example to the Office of the Vice President, the country, especially the children.
“I urge those who are close to her—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or our country,” Escudero said in a statement.
“The Vice President and her allies must also consider how her actions have contributed to rising tensions,” Escudero added.
READ: Solons react to Sara ‘kill order’ video: VP needs psycho evaluation
The Senate President also hoped for Duterte to seek professional help “if she is struggling” so she can properly fulfill her duties as the vice president.
He said that public officials must focus all of their attention and energy in addressing the pressing concerns the country is facing.
“Ultimately, as public servants, our actions should always be guided by this fundamental question: do my actions serve our people and benefit the country that we all love?” Escudero pointed out.
“I implore the Vice President to review and assess her recent actions and words spoken and determine if her statements meet this standard,” Escudero noted.
Escudero pointed out that the Code of Conduct requires all public officials and employees to “perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.”
Further, he also called on the parties involved to “de-escalate” the matter to not compromise the security and safety of everyone. The Presidential Security Command on Saturday said that it has heightened and strengthened its security measures in pursuant to the directive of the Executive Secretary.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Saturday ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to investigate the assassination remarks of Duterte.
Duterte held a press conference early Saturday morning after her chief of staff, Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez was detained at the House of Representatives after being cited for contempt during a hearing on the alleged misuse of public funds of the OVP.
Duterte visited Lopez at the House on Thursday night, and later chose to spend the night as she vowed to protect her chief of staff.
READ: De Lima slams Sara Duterte over ‘murder threat’ to Marcos
The detention transfer order of Lopez was a collegial decision of the House committee on good government and public accountability, wherein Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua announced, saying that the directive was due to security reasons.
However, House Sergeant-at-arms Napoleon Taas said in a press conference on Saturday that Duterte blocked the House from implementing the order.