Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed she will appear before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its preliminary investigation into a complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), following her controversial remark allegedly suggesting violence against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Speaking to media in Cagayan de Oro, Duterte revealed she has already coordinated with her legal counsel and is finalizing her counter-affidavit. “I will attend the hearing because I need to take an oath,” she said.
The DOJ has scheduled two hearings for the case: May 9 and May 16, according to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon.
The NBI previously recommended that charges of inciting to sedition and grave threats be filed after Duterte allegedly remarked that she ordered someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if a plot against her succeeded.
Duterte, however, insists her remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context, claiming she was merely underscoring a threat to her own safety. She also said she did not regret making the controversial statement, which became a key element in the impeachment complaint filed against her in February.