Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Thursday that the grave threats complaint filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Vice President Sara Duterte is not enough.
Speaking at a press briefing on August 13, Castro said Duterte could still be held criminally liable for grave threats if all the elements of the offense under the Revised Penal Code are established, regardless of the outcome of the impeachment proceedings.
“Kung ang lahat ng elemento ng crime ay present to convict her for committing grave threats pwede siyang maging liable for grave threats, sabi ko nga, kulang pa ‘yun eh,” Castro said.
Castro, a lawyer, said that if the full video of Duterte’s controversial remarks is considered, there appears to be an intention to sow hatred against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the government.
“As a lawyer, if you will watch the video in full, ang effect nun is there is this intention to sow hatred against the President, against the government,” she said.
“It is not just simple grave threats, personally, in my opinion. There is this element of inciting to sedition,” she added.
Castro also pointed out that evidence related to Duterte’s statements had already been seen by the public, including her political allies who had previously argued that if the matter involved only grave threats, a criminal case should be filed in court instead of pursuing impeachment.
“May nakitang ebidensya, hindi ba mismong mga kaalyado ng Bise Presidente patungkol dito sa impeachment ang sabi kung ‘grave threats lang ‘yan edi sampahan na lang sana ng kaso sa Korte, hindi sa impeachment. ‘Yung suhestiyon din na isampa na lang sa Korte eh sinunod lang din namna ng DOJ base din naman sa ebidensya,” Castro said.
She said the video could not simply be disregarded because it had already been widely viewed not only by Filipinos but also by people around the world.
Castro also explained that the criminal complaint against Duterte is separate from the impeachment proceedings she is facing.
She explained that impeachment proceedings determine whether a public official should continue to serve as a leader, including whether the official’s conduct and capacity are appropriate for the position.
Castro stressed that the two proceedings have different purposes but may proceed simultaneously.
“Magkaiba po siya pero pwede po siyang pagsabayin,” she said.
The Vice President is facing a criminal complaint over the alleged death threat she uttered against Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, a key issue in her ongoing Senate impeachment trial.
