National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago. Contributed photo by Thirdy Gonzalo

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte was a no- show at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters on Friday morning, November 29, where she was asked to explain her supposed threat on President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

She instead sent her lawyer, Paul Lim, who in a video uploaded by GMA News on X confirmed the Vice President’s absence on today’s probe, “Hindi siya makakarating.” 

NBI Director Jaime Santiago awaited the Vice President’s arrival at the lobby of the headquarters as early as 9 am but Duterte did not show up. Instead, an advanced party from her team appeared for her. 

Santiago said Duterte instead asked for a rescheduling of the investigation as it coincided with a hearing at the House of Representatives on the same day still tackling the supposed anomalies in the utilization of the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s term as Secretary. 

In a press briefing on Thursday however, the House Committee on Good Government, chaired by Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, postponed the hearing Friday to give way for  the NBI investigation. 

Even with the postponement of the House hearing on the alleged irregularities of the P612.5 million confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd, the Vice President’s camp, according to Santiago, still stood firm on the conflict of schedule with the lower house because they were informed late about the cancellation. 

Santiago said the NBI saw no problem with granting the Vice President’s request for a reschedule as it would also give her lawyers a time to build their defense. 

The NBI chief said the Vice President will be required to attend the rescheduled hearing on December 11.