THE House Blue Ribbon Committee postponed its Friday hearing to ensure it does not become an excuse for Vice President Sara Duterte to evade a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) subpoena over alleged threats against the country’s top leaders.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, chair of the committee, said the decision was made to allow the NBI to proceed with its investigation, which lawmakers consider critical to national security.
“Marami pong mga miyembro ang tumawag sa akin patungkol po sa issue na ito kaya po kami kanina ay nagdesisyon na i-postpone ‘yung committee hearing for tomorrow to pave way sa imbestigasyon ng NBI na hindi naman po kami nagagamit bilang excuse para masagot ang complaint,” Chua announced in a press conference on Thursday.
The NBI summoned Duterte to respond to allegations that she issued death threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
“Naniniwala po kami na ito pong issue sa NBI ay napakahalaga as it concerns national security,” Chua said.
The committee, formally called the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, had planned to hold its eighth hearing on allegations that Duterte misused ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during her term as secretary.
However, given the seriousness of the allegations regarding Duterte’s alleged threats against top officials, lawmakers deemed it necessary to prioritize the NBI probe.
“Napaka-importante rin na masagot ang mga tanong at kaukulang investigation ng NBI kasi hindi naman po biro ito. These are grave threats,” said House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V.
“National security is at stake. Nakakabahala po saka nakakatakot. Ako nga po mismo natakot nung narinig ko ang mga threat na ganoon,” Ortega added.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun stressed the importance of Duterte addressing the complaints.
“Ayaw nating maging rason o maging hadlang ang komite, gawing rason ang hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee para hindi harapin ni Vice President Sara, lalong-lalo na ‘yung subpoena sa kanya ng NBI,” he said.
Khonghun added: “Napakalaking usapin ito lalung-lalo patungkol sa national security ng ating bansa. Dahil nakita natin na pinagbantaan niya ang buhay ng ating Presidente, buhay ng ating Speaker, buhay ng ating First Lady, at lalung-lalo na may mga kaso pa siya na kailangan niyang harapin.”
Chua assured that the postponement would not derail the committee’s work on the misuse of confidential funds.
“Kami po ay magbibigay nang [daan] para hindi kami magamit dahilan para hindi siya makarating bukas,” he said.
He reiterated the committee’s commitment to passing laws to safeguard public funds and prevent similar abuses.
The schedule for the next hearing will be announced soon, Chua said.
