DOJ tells VP Sara Duterte: No one is above the law

DOJ Usec. Jesse Andres answers questions from the media in a press conference at the Department of Justice in Manila on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. (Photo from INQUIRER.net / RYAN LEAGOGO)

MANILA, Philippines — No one is above the law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stressed on Thursday amid questions raised over the filing of cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.

DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres, in a radio interview, explained that holding high positions in government does not exempt public officials from accountability.

“Hindi po hadlang for accountability the fact that they are high-ranking public officials and that is what I have been trying to emphasize,” Andres said in a Teleradyo interview when asked if they have the authority to file complaints against a sitting vice president.

(The fact that they are high-ranking public officials is not a hindrance to accountability, and that is what I have been trying to emphasize.)

“No one is above the law. Hindi po tayo pwedeng magbigay ng ibang trato sa mataas na opisyales kesa sa ordinaryong tao,” he added.

(No one is above the law. We cannot give special treatment to high-ranking officials compared to ordinary citizens.)

Duterte publicly said she had asked someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she would be killed.

According to Andres, the DOJ is taking this threat with the utmost urgency and seriousness, given that it came from a high-ranking official with the power to act on it.

“Ang banta po na ito, hindi galing sa ordinaryong tao. Napakataas po na tao na may impluwensya at may kakayahan na gawin,” the DOJ Undersecretary emphasized.

(This threat did not come from an ordinary person. It came from a high-ranking individual with influence and the ability to carry it out.)

“At sa katunayan, sinimulan na ang mga hakbang para maipatupad ang criminal design kasi meron na syang nakausap eh. At inamin nya na umo-o ang kausap niya na ipatupad ang utos nya. Kaya po, it’s really no joke,” he said.

(In fact, steps have already been started to implement the criminal design because she has talked with someone. And she admitted that the person agreed to carry out the order. That’s why it’s really no joke.)

He added that the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will determine the appropriate criminal charges against the vice president, which could include grave threats, sedition, or a violation of the anti-terror law.

“After the National Bureau of Investigation conducts its investigation, ire-refer po nyan ang matter. Lahat po ng nakalap nilang ebidensya,  sa Department of Justice for preliminary investigation,” Andres explained.

(After the National Bureau of Investigation conducts its investigation, the matter will be referred. All the evidence gathered will be up for a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice.)

“Dadaan po ‘yan sa DOJ. Aalamin namin kung may sapat na ebidensya para suportahan ang criminal charges,” he reiterated.

(That will pass through the DOJ. We will find out if there is enough evidence to support the criminal charges.)

READ: VP Sara Duterte brushes off disbarment complaints

Andres likewise clarified that Duterte can face warranted criminal charges, as she has no immunity from suit.

“Maliwanag na maliwanag para sa akin na ang binibigyan ng immunity from suit ayon sa ating Konstitusyon ay ang pangulo lamang, and that immunity only applies during his term,” he said.

(It is very clear to me that the only one being granted immunity from suit under our Constitution is the president, and that immunity applies only during his term.)

“So lahat ng ibang opisyales, kahit impeachable officers kayo, ay maaari rin kayong kasuhan criminally,” he told government officials.

(So all other officials, even impeachable officers, can still be charged criminally.)

He further cited a precedence involving former Vice President Leni Robredo, who faced charges of inciting to sedition during her term. However, the case was later dismissed due to a lack of evidence.