DOJ assures due process in probe of VP Sara’s case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday affirmed that the preliminary investigation into the case filed against Vice President Sara Duterte is proceeding strictly within the bounds of the law.

“Vice President Duterte shall be given every opportunity to answer the allegations and to present her defense before the investigating prosecutors,” the DOJ said in a statement.

“During this process, prosecutors shall carefully evaluate the evidence presented to determine whether prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists. The Department of Justice will ensure that the process will follow the normal course of law, and that accountability and the rule of law will prevail regardless of who the respondent may be.”

The complaint, filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), stems from Duterte’s controversial remarks implying she would have resorted to deadly retaliation, specifically against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if an alleged plot to assassinate her had succeeded.

On Friday, Duterte formally responded to the complaint by submitting her counter-affidavit.

“Nag-file lang ang ating VP ng kanyang counter-affidavit laban doon sa complaint na inihain ng NBI. We will not discuss our defense, we do not want to preempt, out of due respect na rin para ma-appreciate na walang outside influence ng mga prosecutor,” said Michael Poa, counsel for the Vice President.

“We expect due process, that’s the minimum. We can only expect due process,” he added.

The DOJ scheduled the next hearing of the case on May 16.