DOJ to handle VP Sara Duterte sedition charges autonomously

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will handle the criminal investigation of charges filed against Vice President Sara Duterte with complete autonomy, Malacañang assured on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Investigation filed complaints alleging inciting to sedition and grave threats against Duterte over her alleged threat to have the first couple and House speaker assassinated if she were killed.

Vice President Duterte's allies claim these charges are politically motivated attempts by her rivals to weaken her position for the 2028 presidential race.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that Malacañang will not interfere in the case, stating that it is up to investigators to determine whether Duterte's statement constitutes a genuine threat.

Bersamin also noted that Duterte's threats were merely 'conditional' and left it to the hands of the investigators.