VP Sara’s no-show at NBI a “disrespect” for the law: House leader

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

Despite this courtesy, Duterte has not appeared before the bureau. (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A House leader on Friday said Vice President Sara Duterte’s non-appearance at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) despite lawful summons is a clear “disrespect” for the law.

In a news release, Assistant House Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said Duterte’s defiance sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that public officials can act above the law while ordinary citizens are expected to comply.

“Ang hindi pagpapakita sa NBI ay malinaw na kawalan ng respeto sa ating batas. Walang sinuman ang higit sa batas, kahit pa ang Pangalawang Pangulo. Ang pagsunod sa batas ay responsibilidad hindi lamang ng mga mamamayan kundi maging mga lingkod-bayan (Refusing to appear before the NBI is a blatant disregard for our laws. No one is above the law, not even the Vice President. Following the law is a responsibility not only of citizens but also of public servants),” Khonghun said.

This, he further warned, undermines public trust in government institutions.

“Kapag ang mataas na opisyal mismo ang hindi sumusunod sa batas, sinisira nito ang tiwala ng mga tao sa ating mga institusyon. Ang tanong ng taumbayan: Kung kayo nga hindi sumusunod, paano niyo aasahang sumunod kami? (When high-ranking officials themselves fail to follow the law, it erodes the people’s trust in our institutions. The public asks: If you don’t comply, how can you expect us to?),” he said.

Khonghun noted that the House Good Government and Public Accountability had canceled a scheduled hearing to avoid overlapping with the NBI’s investigation.

Despite this courtesy, Duterte has not appeared before the bureau.

Khonghun underscored the importance of public officials serving as role models of accountability and integrity.

“Ang serbisyo publiko ay hindi lang pribilehiyo kundi responsibilidad. Dapat tayong maging ehemplo ng pagiging responsable at tapat, lalo na sa harap ng ating mga kababayan (Public service is not merely a privilege but a responsibility. We should be exemplars of responsibility and honesty, especially before our constituents),” he said.

Khonghun urged Filipinos to remain vigilant in upholding the rule of law.

“Ang batas ay para sa lahat. Dapat walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan. Kapag hinayaan natin ang ganitong klaseng kawalan ng respeto sa batas, sinisira natin ang pundasyon ng ating demokrasya (The law is for everyone. It should favor no one and protect no one. If we allow such disregard for the law, we destroy the foundations of our democracy),” Khonghun said.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega agreed with the Zambales lawmaker, describing Duterte’s actions as “arrogance” rather than leadership.

“By refusing to comply with the subpoena, she is sending a message: ‘The law doesn’t apply to me.’ That is not leadership. That is arrogance,” Ortega said in a separate statement.

Ortega further argued that Duterte’s refusal insults ordinary citizens who are expected to abide by the law.

“If an ordinary citizen ignored a subpoena, he would face consequences immediately. Why should the Vice President be any different?” Ortega asked.

Ortega said Vice President’s decision to ignore the NBI is not just disrespectful, but also a “direct challenge” to the country’s justice system.

“If the second-highest official can get away with this, what’s stopping others from doing the same? This sets a terrible example for our country,” Ortega said.

Ortega called on the NBI not to allow “this defiance to go unpunished.”

Manila Rep. Joel Chua earlier announced the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s postponement of its scheduled Friday hearing to avoid any overlap with the NBI’s probe into Duterte’s alleged assassination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The postponement came after Duterte had requested the NBI to reschedule her summons to prioritize her attendance at the House inquiry.

The House panel is currently investigating the alleged misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary in 2022 and 2023.