By Brian Campued
Vice President Sara Duterte may be held liable for violations of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act over the remarks she made against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said Thursday.
RA 11479 was signed into law by the Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020.
Khonghun dismissed the Vice President’s claims that efforts to freeze her assets are part of a “grand scheme” against her, likening it to a supposed “Arnie Teves playbook”.
Expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is wanted for the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo in March 2023, was designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrrorism Council.
Khonghun said Duterte’s current predicament results from her own actions and statements.
“Ito ang resulta ng kanyang pinaggagawa at pinagsasabi. Nakita naman natin ang batas na ipinasa nila sa terorismo at nakita naman natin meron siyang violation doon,” Khonghun stated.
The House leader also stressed the importance of due process, as the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation investigate the Vice President’s actions whether her comments constitute grave threats under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Duterte, in a public briefing, said she had contracted an assassin to target the First Couple and the Speaker if she is assassinated first.
“Kailangan nating hayaan ang DOJ, ang NBI, at ang ating law enforcement unit na mag-imbestiga,” Khonghun said.
“Kung nakita nila may [nilabag], nararapat lang na file-an talaga siya ng kaso,” he added. (with a report from Mela Lesmoras)
—avds
