The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday, November 26, that former President Rodrigo Duterte will be investigated regarding his statements about the military's involvement in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In an ambush interview with reporters, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres stated that Duterte's remarks were “bordering on sedition.”
“I do not know where the former president is getting his ideas; we have a stable and functioning republic. The civil government is for civilians, and the military has no role here,” said Andres.
“His invitation to the military to be part of finding a solution is bordering on sedition and has legal implications,” he added.
This began at a conference on Tuesday morning, where Duterte described the Philippines as having "fractured governance" and accused Marcos of being a drug addict.
“There is fractured governance in the Philippines right now. No one can tell Marcos, no one can tell Romualdez… There is no immediate solution… Only the military can do this,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.
However, Duterte did not mention calling for a coup against Marcos. The former president also challenged the military: “How long will you support a president who is a drug addict? I challenge the entire military because they should be the defenders of the Constitution.”
However, Duterte did not mention calling for a coup against Marcos.
Duterte has frequently accused Marcos of drug use, which Marcos has repeatedly denied.
Response from the Palace
In response, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin condemned Duterte's statements, saying he has gone to "extreme and harmful lengths" to elevate his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, to the presidency.
“There is no more selfish motive than to call for the downfall of the current president just to place your child in the position. And he will do everything, including insulting the professional armed forces, to make them break their oath, so that his plan may succeed,” said Bersamin.
“The former president should respect the Constitution, not violate it. He should stop being irresponsible,” he added.
Understanding Double Meanings
Andres noted Duterte's common tactic of retracting controversial statements as jokes or hyperbole, stating that these should be examined in the proper context.
“From a legal perspective, we need to place this in the proper context and common meaning. Other related actions should also be considered—what is being said, invited, and done,” said Andres.
Andres also emphasized the seriousness of Sara Duterte's statement where she admitted to hiring someone to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He considered it a direct threat rather than a conditional one.
Andres also emphasized the seriousness of Sara Duterte's statement admitting to hiring someone to target the president, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He considered this a direct threat rather than a conditional one.
“We will not take this lightly, and we will ensure that it is addressed seriously,” said Andres.
Context of the Statements
The former president held a press conference a few days after Sara Duterte's virtual press conference, where she threatened to kill the Marcoses if she were to be killed.
As a result, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena against the vice president to request her explanation regarding the incident.
