The lead counsel for Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves over the weekend strongly condemned the recent revelations by Vice President Sara Duterte about the use by the government of the so-called “Teves Playbook” in what she described as her political persecution.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio drew parallels between the alleged political assault on Teves and the current situation faced by the Vice President.

He described a disturbing pattern: “First, the subject of political liquidation is demonized through media and painted as a violent person; then, his security detail is withdrawn, making him feel helpless.

“Then, the rubber-stamp House of Representatives is used to isolate the target politically. Fabricated charges are soon to follow, he said, adding the Vice President’s statement should “send shivers down the spine of every Filipino.”

He said what Duterte is going through has happened before in the case of Teves, as he pointed to the recall of Duterte’s security personnel, which he described as leaving her in “grave danger.”

Duterte weeks back revealed she had contracted an assassin to kill the President, the First Lady and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event she herself is killed.

Topacio predicted that further steps could include raids on the Vice President’s residence.

“We would not be surprised if later on, her residence is raided and high-caliber firearms, including explosives, will be planted therein, the latter to make the offense subject to capital punishment and therefore making bail discretionary,” he said.

Topacio also expressed concern over the potential use of politically motivated charges and legal tactics.

“Heaven forbid that a high-profile political figure is assassinated, or it will be blamed on the Vice President, precipitately and without regard to due process and other Constitutional safeguards,” he stated.

He also criticized the alleged use of the Anti-Terror Act for purposes beyond its original intent.

“The use of the Anti-Terror Act in a manner for which it was never envisioned is also part of the formula which was used against Mr. Teves, and is now being used against the Vice President,” he argued.

Topacio accused the Department of Justice of being “weaponized” under the current leadership.

“What is scary is that the Department of Justice, which is composed of many professional men and women of integrity, has been prostituted under a leadership that has allowed the DoJ to be weaponized and made an instrument of pernicious lawfare against the political enemies of the current dispensation,” he said.