Photo: NBI

MANILA, Philippines – Christmas party is not an excuse. 

This was the answer of Director Jaime Santiago of the National Bureau of Investigation if Vice President Sara Duterte’s excuse for skipping the NBI invitation on the morning of Wednesday (December 11) was indeed due to a Christmas party held on the same day. 

“Kung ang reason lang kaya hindi sisipot ay Christmas party that is not justifiable,” said Santiago, a former judge.

“But then the Vice President showed courtesy by sending her counsel talking to us at may letter na ganun, enough na sakin ‘yun,” 

Santiago said Duterte relayed that she was advised by her lawyers that there was no need to go and that a counter affidavit or sworn statement would suffice. 

But instead of a counter affidavit or a sworn statement, Duterte’s lawyers sent a letter stating the position of the Vice President, why she chose not to appear and a confirmation that she would in a Christmas lunch with members of the media on Wednesday. 

The investigation was initially set on November 29 but was reset due to conflict on the schedule of the Vice President citing a purported hearing at the House of Representatives as her reason.

Santiago however was at least happy that the Vice President showed him some courtesy by sending a team to represent her. 

 “The Vice President showed courtesy sa NBI,” he said. 

As earlier stated, investigation of the NBI will proceed even without the cooperation of the Vice President who threatened President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of having them murdered by an assassin should she get killed. 

Duterte’s desistance stems from her belief that any government investigation of her will not be impartial.

In her letter, she cited her distrust to the credibility of the system since the NBI was under the Department of Justice headed by Secretary Boying Remulla, “an alter ego of the President” and the Executive Secretary, retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin being the “chief alter ego of the President.” 

This however was debunked again by Santiago who promised the Vice President a fair and impartial investigation. 

He also promised to accord the same courtesy the NBI was giving to the President to the Vice President. 

“Limang abogado, ako’y judge pag-aaralan naming mabuti at makakaasa kayo ng parehas na resolution. Parehas na isusubmit namin sa DOJ,” he said.

“Pag inaakusahan ka, hindi ka sumagot, your silence condemns you.”