MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Magandang hapon, Malacañang Press Corps, and welcome sa ating press briefing ngayong araw, November 25.

Increased security protocols are being implemented to ensure the safety of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and First Lady Liza Marcos in light of the death threats against them.

Law enforcement agencies are in close coordination while investigating this as it is a matter of national security.

To discuss this matter with us, we are joined by Undersecretary Jesse Andres, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago. Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Go ahead, Undersecretary.

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Good afternoon, everyone.

In the light of recent events, very alarming events, the government is taking action to protect our duly elected President. The premeditated plot to assassinate the President as declared by the self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences. And we are tapping our law enforcement agents to investigate the whereabouts and the identity of this person or persons who may be plotting against the President.

With me this afternoon is the head of the National Bureau of Investigation who has a primary jurisdiction to conduct an investigation whenever a threat to the presidency is made known. And we will use all the resources of government, all law enforcement agents to find out the identity of this assassin, and the legal consequences arising out of this criminal plot will be dealt with the full force of the law.

So, the NBI has done an initial investigation, and maybe we can report what we have validated with respect to the authenticity of the video which was aired in many platforms in social media to make sure that we are giving due process and we are ascertaining that the video is indeed genuine and the utterances of the Vice President. Director Santiago, can you enlighten the group?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Yes, Ma’am, good afternoon po sa inyo, sir. Alam ninyo po, mandato ng … sa NBI ng ating batas, Republic Act 10867, may primary jurisdiction po ang NBI to investigate threats on the President down to the chief justice. So hindi po namin ito tini-take lightly. When we received the video clips noong sinabi nga ni Vice President Sara, nag-conduct ho kaagad kami ng investigation.

First, I advised, I directed my cybercrime unit to investigate the authenticity of that video clip. So we found out, my investigators found out that the clip is not AI-generated; it is not deepfake; it is authentic. So the next step we do is to write the … iyong platform, happened to be na iyong FB, Facebook. So we requested na preservation ng clip. So the Facebook ay kini-keep na ang video clip for future reference. Granted na po iyong request namin na nakas-save na po iyon.

Now, ang next step namin ngayon is dini-determine namin whatever action, say, criminal or whatever action that we will take against the Vice President, especially the person na sinasabi niya na inutusan na niya para ipapatay si President Marcos, the First Lady and the Speaker.

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Ang imbestigasyon po na gagawin ng gobyerno ukol sa bagay na ito ay agad-agaran. Importante pong malaman kung ano ang mga naging hakbang para po kumuha ng serbisyo ng isang mamamatay tao na nagpaplano ng masamang balakin sa ating mahal na Pangulo. At gagawin po ng National Bureau of Investigation ang lahat ng mga hakbang para matunton ang identity nito kasama po ang pag-iisyu po ng subpoena kay Vice President Sara na humarap sa NBI para bigyan po ng kaliwanagan ang kaniyang mga pananalita dahil po diretsuhan niyang sinabi na siya po ay kumuha na ng tao na siya pong gagawa ng pagpatay hindi lang po sa Pangulo, kasama po ang ating First Lady at ang ating Speaker of the House ay hindi po tamang pananalita na nanggagaling po sa napakataas na opisyales ng ating bayan.

Kailangan po ang agarang imbestigasyon at mayroon po tayong paraan sa batas na mag-isyu ng subpoena ang National Bureau of Investigation para po paharapin ang ating Bise Presidente at magbigay-linaw sa kaniyang mga sinabi.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay. Are we going to here from the Prosecutor General?

PG FADULLON: Yes, good afternoon, everyone. Well, to add to what Undersecretary Jesse Andres and Director Santiago said earlier, this is something that cannot be taken lightly. In light with the fact that the one who made those statements and made those utterances is the sitting Vice President, and the threat is directed against our Chief Executive, the wife, and the Speaker of the House.

So as far as the Office of the Prosecutor General is concerned, the National Prosecutor Service, we being part of the executive branch are mandated to closely work with the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies in making sure that whatever cases ‘no, case or cases may be filed later on are something which will be backed up and be supported by evidence.

So we have been closely in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and with other agencies to ascertain who may be held liable. But I think, the immediate threat right now, as mentioned by Undersecretary Andres, is to go after and try to track the assassin or assassins because this is not something that you can just simply dismiss coming from a sitting Vice President who is just an earshot from the presidency if she decides to run. It is something ‘no na titingnan natin iyong motivation. We have to look at the motive for doing it. But again, we have to look at all of this in the context of all the things that are going on and cannot simply isolate the situation to the statements that were made. So we have to be very careful in going over the events leading to the statements that were pronounced or made by the Vice President.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Thank you. Now—

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Idagdag ko lang ‘no. Atin pong alalahanin na kamakailan lang ay nagbigay din po ng pananalita ang ating Vice President na gusto niyang pugutan ng ulo ang ating Pangulo. Tinanggap po namin na salita iyon in a metaphorical way – isang simbolismo lang ng kaniyang galit.

Ngunit sa kaniya pong bagong pananalita, hindi po maaaring isantabi lang iyan at kailangan po ng ating gobyerno na kumilos dahil po ang isang halal na Pangulo ay binigyan po ng banta ng isang mataas ding opisyal ng gobyerno na may kakayahan din na gawin ito. Kaya kami po, we are not leaving any stone unturned, we will take every effort to protect the President and to investigate everyone that could possibly be involved in this assassination plot of the three high-ranking officials of government.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Thank you. Let’s open the floor to questions. First one is Chona Yu, People’s Journal.

CHONA YU/PEOPLE’S JOURNAL: Sir, iyong subpoena, nai-serve na po ba ito or kailan po ito isi-serve kay Vice President Duterte?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Ngayon po ay ginagawa na namin at isi-serve na agad, immediately.

CHONA YU/PEOPLE’S JOURNAL: And then also, sir, iyong kaso, anong puwedeng ikaso kay Vice President Duterte doon sa kaniyang mga statement?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Ang Bise Presidente po ay maraming posibleng legal liabilities sa kaniya pong mga nagawang pananalita at mga aksyon na ginawa kasabay nito. Hindi po namin sinasara ang pinto sa mga malalaking kaso nguni’t ayon po sa due process, kailangan pong isaganap muna namin ang kumpletong imbestigasyon. We have to go into every possible angle, hear testimonies, collate previous testimonies given and do a forensic study that will fortify all possible cases. But we assure you, the full force of the law will be used in dealing with this matter.

CHONA YU/INQ. NET: Sir, NBI, sir. May lead na po ba kayo sa assassins kung ano iyong profile maybe or background?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Actually, wala pa po. Iyan ay malilinawan kapag pumunta, sumagot sa subpoena namin si Vice President Sara at siya po ang magpaliwanag kung sino iyon.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Good afternoon. Iyong pagtukoy po natin sa asasinasyon, assuming matukoy natin siya, ano po ang magiging pananagutan niya sa batas kung wala pa namang nangyaring krimen?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Marami pong legal liabilities ang tao, lalo na kapag mayroon pong ma-establish na conspiracy to commit an attempt on the life of our Chief Executive. Right now, we are open to all possible crimes and we are not looking at one particular offense, criminal offense. But as I said, definitely, there will be criminal and other legal liabilities that will be enforced against the plotters and those who will execute it and those who took part in it. So, we will complete the investigation and, definitely, we will file the appropriate cases. But we will not identify the particular offense at this point in time.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Earlier, the Vice President issued a statement saying that her statement was taken out of its logical context. Ano po ang masasabi ninyo doon?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Well, as I said, gagawin po natin ang lahat ng isang patas at malawak na imbestigasyon. We will put into proper context her statements. But I simply recall that when she answered certain questions and she declared the plot to assassinate the President, she even immediately added, “This is no joke. This is no joke. I did it and I wanted to make sure that this person will do it to its completion. And again, we will give the Vice President a chance to explain.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: But in your view, given that phrase, no joke, that she wasn’t joking, that leaves no room for the statement to be taken out of context?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Definitely, we will take it as a serious threat because it came from the mouth of the sitting Vice President.

EDEN SANTOS/NET 25: Good afternoon po, sir. On the part of the Vice President naman po, mayroon po ba kayong information na mayroon ding threat sa buhay niya?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Maybe we can ask the law enforcement agents to—

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: On the part of the NBI, hindi kami nakakatanggap ng any information regarding the threat on the life of the Vice President.

EDEN SANTOS/NET 25: Kaya po niya nasabi iyon dahil parang gusto rin niyang protektahan iyong sarili niya against naman po doon sa planong pagpapapatay din sa kanya, sort of, wala po kayong ganoong intelligence information?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Wala po, ma’am.

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: In answer also to that, as you will observe, everything that is being done is through legal processes and legal proceedings. If ever the Vice President is being held accountable, it is in a legal process and it’s all done within the bounds of the Constitution and the law.

SAM MEDENILLA/BUSINESS MIRROR: Itatanong ko lang po: Can the President face possible preventive suspension while the investigation is ongoing?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: First, the Vice President is not immune from suit. She can be the subject of any criminal, administrative case; and the Ombudsman also has authority to do its duty to discipline and to take necessary measures to deliver on its mandate as the investigator of all high-ranking government officials. So, it is within the authority of the Ombudsman to act on this matter as well.

HARVEY VALBUENA/DZME: Good afternoon. For NBI. Sir, how soon can we expect an arrest or detention of someone over this matter? Because I remember, way back 2020, there was a teacher who randomly posted in social media and he offered a P50 million reward for anyone who can kill the then President Rodrigo Duterte. So, I am just curious, can we expect the same response over this matter?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Yes, we are aware of that case. Actually, it is the NBI who arrested that person. Mr. Ronnel Mas is a school teacher who offered P50 million to kill PRRD. Arestado kaagad siya, but then, later parang hindi na … parang pinatawad na rin in PRRD.

This time, out of courtesy, masasabi natin, out of courtesy, due process, hindi po namin kaagad inaresto si Vice President dahil siya ay Vice President – napakataas na opisyal. So we are giving her a chance, due process to answer the … iyong ibinibintang sa kanya this is by way of subpoena. And we will ask her to appear, before our office, within five days from today, appear siya sa amin, sagutin niya iyong aming mga tanong para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating Vice President.

IRAPANGANIBAN/DZRJ: Two questions. First question is, it’s an if-then situation. If this happens to me, then this is what I will do. What’s the legal implication of that? The statement of Vice President Sara Duterte was, if something happens to me, then I will do this. What’s the legal implication of that?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: The important thing that everyone should understand from those statements is the lack of recourse to legal and judicial remedies. That is what is appalling in the situation where a high-ranking official would not have recourse to legal and judicial remedies to seek redress. So, all of us are governed by the rule of law and no one is above the law. If there is a need to exact justice for a criminal act, then it has to be through the legal and judicial process. We cannot take the law into our own hands, no one should dispose that kind of thinking. And that is why, I strongly believe that that exposes her to criminal liabilities.

PANGANIBAN/DZRJ: Question number two, she claims that one of her security personnel attempted to take her life. Is the NBI, the Department of Justice, the government looking into this allegation?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Parang wala kaming natanggap na ganyan na sinabi niya na one of her security aides—remember that the Vice President, even the Vice President is being protected by our Presidential Security Command.

PANGANIBAN/DZRJ: There was part of that statement in her ranting.

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: We will go over that. But baka i-clarify ko lang, napakadelikado iyong sinasabi niya na, “kapag ako namatay” – take note, “kapag ako namatay”. Hindi niya sinabing kapag ako napatay. Magkaiba iyon ‘no, iyong mga Tagalog dito. Magkaiba iyon, kapag ako namatay. Paano kung na-overdose siya? Nalason siya nang wala namang kasalanan ang mga agencies, wala namang kasalanan ang Presidente, bakit ipapapatay niya ang President? Kaya iba iyong kapag ako napatay, iyan may somebody assassinated her, ipapapatay niya iyong Presidente – magkaiba eh. Pinag-aaralan naming mabuti iyong statement niya.

KATRINA DOMINGO/ABS-CBN: Sir, in the Vice President’s rant, she also mentioned that former Communication Secretary Harry Roque is already out of the country. Can she also be held liable for withholding knowledge as to where Mr. Roque is?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Wala naman. Kung umalis na si Roque, kung ano—hindi naman sila accuse pa in a certain crime na mapapagsabihan natin na in conspiracy silang dalawa.

KATRINA DOMINGO/ ABS-CBN: Sir, another question. The former president of the IBP mentioned that she has violated Canon 1 for lawyers. Will that be grounds for her disbarment?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Puwede, puwede, yes.

KATRINA DOMINGO/ ABS-CBN: Is the government going to file a disbarment case against her?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Yeah, kasama na iyan. Iyon ngang sinabi ni Usec. Andres, lahat ng legal liabilities, mananagot siya sa lahat ng legal aspect. She cannot—ang sinabi pa niya na she is acting as a lawyer for Lopez – that cannot be done. Hindi siya pupuwedeng mag-practice. Ang general rule is that, public officials cannot practice their profession ‘no. Pupuwede iyon kung pinapayagan or/at hindi in conflict sa kanyang opisina.

Remember that ang iniimbestigahan ay ang opisina ni VP Sara, therefore, she cannot act as counsel sa opisina niya na siya ang iniimbestigahan, may conflict, ganoon po iyon. Pero iyong mga matter na iyon, light na lang iyon eh, about iyong siya being a lawyer. Pero iyong utterances niya na pagbabantay, iyan ang pinupukpukan namin at sini-serious namin na considered.

DOJ PG FADULLON: We’re actually, if I may add, as mentioned earlier, we’re looking at all angles, in all possible cases ‘no. So, it’s not limited to filing of possible criminal cases or criminal charges alone but even violation of CPRA ‘no and possibly disbarment case if there are grounds. So, iyan po ay pinag-aaralan ngayon, pero nabanggit nga kanina, siguro at this point it would not be prudent to make any disclosures yet as to what possible cases, whether they’re criminal or administrative that will be filed or be considered for filing by the Department of Justice or by the NBI.

KATRINA DOMINGO/ ABS-CBN: Sir, can you give us at least a timeline as to when you intent to resolve this investigation?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: This investigation will be commenced as we speak at the moment. It has been started even before this press conference, and we will continue to do this until we get to the bottom of it. This is a serious threat. A very, very a bad President [sic] for our country, if we will not take legal action on these kinds of threats coming from a very high-ranking official. We have to maintain order in a civilized society by adherence to rule of law and we will apply the full strength and f0orce of the law on this matter.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Thank you. Racquel Bayan, Radio Pilipinas.

RACQUEL BAYAN/ RADIO PILIPINAS: Good afternoon, sir. Sir, iyong mga ganitong pronouncement coming from the Vice President to the President, puwede po ba itong maging grounds for impeachment?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Iyong impeachment is a constitutional option that is vested in the House of Representatives to initiate and eventually elevated into the Senate. It is not within the ambit of our authority to determine whether this should be a ground for impeachment. But I will only say that there are serious violations of the law in these acts. So, we will leave it up to congress to make that determination.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Leth Narciso, DZRH.

LETH NARCISO/ DZRH: Sir, dahil nga may naunang pahayag ano si VP Sara last month na gusto niyang pugutan ng ulo si Presidente and then now itong kill statement, clear na po ba iyong pattern na may plano laban sa buhay ni PBBM?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Maaari po. Iko-consider po namin iyong lahat ng mga pinagsasabi niya, previous and up to this latest na declaration ni VP Sara.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay. Rhea Fernandez, TV5.

RHEA FERNANDEZ/ TV5: Sir, good afternoon. Aside from the possible charges that you’ve mentioned earlier, are we also looking into filing sedition raps against the Vice President, because of the statement she made against the President?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Based on our initial study, sedition is a possibility. We are not closing our eyes on other possible criminal offenses, even graver than sedition. But grave threats and sedition are obviously being considered, but we are not making that determination now as I said, due process warrants that every angle should be investigated; every party should be given an opportunity to be heard. And in due time, in observance of due process, we will make that determination to file the appropriate case.

RHEA FERNANDEZ/ TV5: Just to follow up. Regarding lang po doon sa sinasabi rin VP na kaya niya nasabi iyon because there is an actual threat against her. Mayroon din po ba tayong parang—are we also considering to look into that claim of the Vice President that there is a threat against her life?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: The government is supposed and will protect every citizen of the country, of course, that includes the Vice President. We have every reason to afford her protection from the law, from lawless elements. And you know, we are surprised that there is a possibility that there is a threat and we will give necessary law enforcement agents to make that investigation as well if we think there is a such a threat coming. But as of now, we have not received any formal complaint or request for assistance on that particular matter.

But, as I’ve been saying everything that is directed against the Vice President, if she is being held accountable are being done through legal and constitutional processes. So, it is not done extra-judicially. And what is really appalling is the possibility of resorting to extra-judicial measures and exacting justice. That is why we said, that this is a very alarming situation, because every public official should be an individual that can be emulated by all to follow. And coming from a high-ranking official, these words are very disturbing. It is not instilling peace, order and, you know support and defending the constitution. So, that is why we are greatly alarmed and we are taking on necessary action on this matter.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay. Next question, Maricar Sargan, Brigada News FM.

MARICAR SARGAN / BRIGADA NEWS FM: Sir, good afternoon. I know that is you mandate, may utos man po o wala iyong Presidente, but we just want to know kung mayroon po bang personal directive sa inyo si President Marcos, iyong regarding sa investigation?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Well, it is our duty to make that on our own because the mandate of the Department of Justice includes the investigation of crimes. That is why the National Bureau of Investigation has been tasked already and has commenced the complete investigation of this matter. The National Prosecution Service is the arm of government that will develop the case and eventually seek justice, enforce the law, through the appropriate criminal case to be file in court. And we are mobilizing all law enforcement agents, including the Philippine National Police under the directive of the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, you know, to do their own investigation so that we will pull all possible information and evidence collated and hold people accountable for this.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Thank you. Christian Yosores, Radyo 630.

CHRISTIAN YOSORES, RADYO 630: Good afternoon, sirs. Sa mga recent po na hearing House, nahirapan pong padaluhin ng mga congressman si VP Sara, sa mga nakaraan. Pero this time po na magpapadala ng subpoena sa kanya, paano natin siya mako-compel na sumagot? And ano pong puwedeng mangyari kung hindi pa rin siya sumagot sa inyong subpoena?

DOJ PG FADULLON: Ang mandato namin ay tiyakin ‘no that due process is observed at all instances ‘no. The subpoena should be issued and she will be given an opportunity to present her side, that is the rational why we are or the NBI is going to send the subpoena in the first place. Ngayon, kung hindi siya tumugon, hindi naman po pupuwedeng tayo ay maghintay hanggang sila ay good and ready. Whatever evidence is in the possession of or will be in the possession of the NBI based on its investigation outside of any statement or any cooperation coming from them is something that we can work on ready.

Ang sinasabi lang natin is, hindi pupuwede na gawin natin ito nang marahas; kailangan sumunod tayo sa naayon sa batas. At pagkatapos natin sundin ito at nabigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon at sila’y hindi tumugon, wala tayong magagawa kung ‘di patupad ang batas at sundin ito batay sa ebidensiya na hawak natin.

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Let me just give another perspective, that what is on trial here is actually even our justice system. People have always been saying that just justice is not fair; it is only leaning in favor of those who have privilege or power. But now, we will have the opportunity to show that no one is above the law and that accountability can be exacted from anybody so that people will now really give respect to the law.

If we are not able to apply the law to other people who have influenced and power, what kind of government can we provide? So that is what’s at stake here. I hope people understand that there is nothing personal about this, but things happened because we have to strengthen our institutions. And we will do what is necessary under the constitution and in accordance with the constitution.

BALTAZAR/RADYO PILIPINAS: Sir, pupuwede lang pong paki-specify kung ano iyong batas na dapat nating ipatupad kung sakali mang hindi tumugon doon sa subpoena si Vice President Sara?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Kung hindi po siya tumugon sa subpoena na aming ipapadala, tulad nga po ng sinabi ni Usec. Andres at ni PG Fadullon, kung ano iyong ebidensya na nandoon sa kamay namin ay we will proceed with it. Ipa-file namin iyong—kung mayroong dapat i-file na kaso, ipa-file na po namin iyon. And remember, kapag pinayl ng investigating office like NBI, ipa-file po iyan sa Prosecution Office. And then the Prosecution, the Department of Justice, sila ang magdi-determine whether there is a prima facie evidence, may certainty of conviction bago nila ipa-file ang case.

YU/INQ.NET: Just a quick follow-up on that. Do you have the power to cite her in contempt, kung hindi siya susunod sa subpoena. Do you have that?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Kami po, wala. Kapag hindi po tumugon sa aming subpoena, kung ano po ang available evidence sa kamay namin, iyon po, doon kami gagawa ng report and refer the matter to the prosecutor’s office.

SANTOS/NET 25: Sir, mayroon na po ba tayong binuong task force? Kung mayroon man, kailan po natin ito na-form regarding dito sa kaso na ito against VP Sara?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Iyon nga po, dahil mandato ng NBI na imbestigahan kaagad any threat to the President down to the chief justice, noong Sabado, noong early morning ng Sabado ay ipinatawag ko na po ang aking mga abogado na mga mahusay, cybercrime chief, iyong aking assistant on special concern, iyong aking COS, puro sila abogado. Umupo na po kaagad kami at inumpisahan na namin ang imbestigasyon.

Mamaya pong hapon, uupo po ulit kami at kung ano na ang na-gather namin na evidence na hindi pa man namin iniimbestigahan si VP Sara, kung ano po na evidence na hawak na amin.

SANTOS/NET 25: Sir, ano po pangalan ng task force, Task Force VP Sara, ganoon?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Wala akong ipinangalan na Task Force VP Sara, wala pong ganoon. Basta po ako ay tumawag lamang, iyong aking inaasahan, mga competent lawyers ng NBI na makakatulong po sa imbestigasyon.

SANTOS/NET 25: So, wala po tayong itatawag doon sa task force para mas malinaw lang po.

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Sa ngayon po wala po, wala pong special name sila.

SANTOS/NET 25: Iyon po bang video clip form Facebook, masasabi po ba natin itong magiging matibay na ebidensya?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Matibay pong ebidensya iyon dahil napatunayan po namin iyon ay authentic, talaga pong nangyari at na-preserve na po namin sa Facebook App.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay, let’s go to Melvin Gascon and we are about to wrap up this press conference.

GASCON/PDI: Good afternoon, sir. Itatanong ko lang, sir, ngayon po, halos napakalakas po ng response ng Executive Department doon po sa statements made by Vice President. I am just curious, were these threats even been corroborated by the intelligence community?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Iyon pong threat itself na inihayag ni VP Sara, doon po kami nagba-bank na mag-imbestiga ng maigi ‘no. Revelation iyon, mayroon siyang kinausap na assassin na gagawin itong bagay na ito against the President. So, doon po kami nakatutok maigi.

GASCON/PDI: So, wala pong lumabas from intelligence services na may ganoong elemento ng …

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: There is an active threat to the President given that the one who made that pronouncement is a high-ranking influential and also powerful official. Whether that that is corroborated by previous acts is actually contributory only to our drive to enforce the law. It is not for anyone to speak in that manner to disrupt public order by making threats especially on the life of anyone, more so the life of the Chief Executive of this country, a duly elected leader of the country.

So, we have to put our foot down on this matter, because everyone is relying on the President to execute the laws and to deliver the services to our country. But if he will be impeded by threats such as this, then he will be impaired in delivering the service to our countrymen. And that should be the view of every Filipino. A threat to the President is a threat to every Filipino because he is the one expected to deliver the service. And if he is impeded because of death threats, then it is a disservice to our people.

MANGALUZ/PHIL. STAR: Good afternoon. It’s no secret that the Duterte family has criticisms against the President. Will your investigation extend to the Duterte Clan?

GASCON/PDI: Hindi naman, magpo-focus kami dito sa declaration ni Vice President Sara.

BALTAZAR/RADYO PILIPINAS: Sir, last na lang sa akin. Sir, how capable VP Sara to perform such threat against the President and the First Lady?

NBI DIR. SANTIAGO: Iyon nga, sabi rin ni Usec., as described by Usec., very powerful si Vice President Sara. Mataas na posisyon sa government, very influential, kaya lalong matindi iyong threat na binabantayan natin ngayon.

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: Please understand that if ever this threat of assassination actually happens or is accomplished, she is the ultimate beneficiary. And we have to do everything to protect the President. Understandably, if such an even happens, who will benefit? She is the beneficiary of the death of the President. So, her words have to be taken in the proper context.

Previously, she made a declaration that the President’s head should be cut off, pugutan ng ulo, and now, more specific allegation on engaging an assassin to kill people including the President. That is a very serious, serious action taken by the VP and we have to go through the process and seek accountability for this.

FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Good afternoon, sirs. Will the President move to an undisclosed location for the interest of his safety?

DOJ USEC. ANDRES: We leave it up to the Presidential Security Group to make the determination. But we have to say that we have a very efficient and effective Presidential Security Group that will do what is best for our President.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay, thank you. Thank you very much, Department of Justice Undersecretary Andres, Prosecutor General Fadullon and NBI Director Santiago. Thank you Malacañang Press Corps. This concludes our press briefing today.

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