VP Duterte open to NBI probe despite Friday absence, says dela Rosa

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa — SENATE PRIB / file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Long-time Duterte ally Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Vice President Sara Duterte was “willing” to face the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe.

The bureau is investigating her remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Dela Rosa’s statement came as Duterte failed to appear before the bureau on Friday, Nov. 29, in response to its subpoena regarding her statements.

She previously said she instructed a person to kill Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were assassinated.

READ: VP Sara Duterte no show at NBI, asks for rescheduling

In a chance interview with reporters at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Friday, dela Rosa said, “It’s her option to go there. Kung ayaw nya, then sya na bahala dyan.”

“But still, the NBI can go to her office instead to conduct their investigation, ‘di ba? Pwede namang puntahan ng NBI. Hindi naman sila pinipigilang pumunta sa Office of the Vice President (OVP) to conduct their investigation,” he suggested.

When asked if he was in contact with the vice president in light of her expected Friday appearance before the NBI, dela Rosa said he had no recent conversations with Duterte.

The senator said, “She’s willing naman to face the investigation. In fact, nagpadala nga sya ng lawyer doon, ‘di ba? Sa NBI.”

The senator was again at the VMMC, where OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez and disbursement officer Gina Acosta were confined.

READ: 2 OVP aides now under close monitoring – Veterans hospital

Dela Rosa said he was also admitted to the hospital for “a viral infection, coughs, and cold.”

He previously joined Duterte to accompany Lopez while the chief of staff was still at the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Quezon City last Saturday.

Lopez was brought to the government-run hospital early morning last Saturday, falling ill after the House of Representatives ordered to transfer her from its custodial facility to the Correctional Institution for Women.

She was transferred to SLMC but returned to VMMC by Saturday afternoon.

Congress detained the OVP official at the Batasang Pambansa Complex after being cited for contempt during the lawmakers’ inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds by the OVP and the Department of Education.

The House extended her detention until Saturday, November 30.