Malacañang allows DOJ autonomy in VP Sara Duterte sedition case

Malacañang announced on Thursday that it will allow legal proceedings to continue regarding the grave threats and inciting to sedition charges filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated during an interview that the Palace will not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation, emphasizing full autonomy for the Department of Justice (DOJ) in handling these matters.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the charges on Wednesday, linking them to Duterte's claims about hiring someone to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an assassination plot against her were to succeed.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile warned that 'evil third parties' could exploit the political rift between Duterte and Marcos, potentially causing further disruption.

Enrile also noted that Vice President Duterte's statement carries serious underlying implications, as it includes a guilty act and a guilty mind, which can lead to immediate suspicion against the named individuals even if they are innocent.