By Brian Campued
A House leader on Thursday appealed to the Blue Ribbon Committee to reschedule its Nov. 29 hearing to allow Vice President Sara Duterte to face the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the subpoena issued against her.
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong made the appeal amid the House committee’s probe on the reported misuse of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she was secretary.
The NBI has summoned Duterte to respond to allegations of death threats she made against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a press briefing on Nov. 23.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations being investigated by the NBI, the Vice President’s immediate priority must be to comply with the Bureau’s summons and provide a clear explanation to the Filipino people,” Adiong said.
“Vice President Duterte must prioritize addressing the NBI probe. The allegations against her are far-reaching, and her full cooperation with the investigation is essential for the sake of transparency and justice,” he added.
Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Usec. Jesse Andres clarified that Duterte may also appeal to reschedule her attendance before the NBI.
“Agad-agad din possibly, Monday or Tuesday next week,” the DOJ official said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
“Napakaimportante ng gagawin naming investigation dahil seryoso ang sitwasyon, seryoso ang banta kaya kailangan namin ipatawag ang Bise Presidente para magbigay ng kanyang pahayag at impormasyon kung sino ang kinausap niya para magpatupad ng pagpatay sa ating Pangulo, kay First Lady Liza Marcos, at kay Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Andres added. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
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