Admin solons hope NBI raps boost VP Sara's impeachment case

Administration lawmakers are hopeful that the filing of charges by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Vice President Sara Duterte for inciting sedition and grave threats will strengthen her impeachment case.

In an interview on Wednesday, Ako Bicol Rep. Angelo Jil Bongalon, a member of the 11-person House prosecution team against Duterte, stated that the filing of serious charges would help the panel secure her conviction.

“The NBI’s recommendation provides substantial support to the impeachment case, as it highlights the severity of the allegations against VP Duterte,” Bongalon said.

He added, “It would really strengthen our position that indeed the Vice President committed criminal acts such as grave threats and inciting to sedition.”

The charges stemmed from Duterte’s public comments in November 2024, where she allegedly stated that she had instructed an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed amid what she called ongoing political persecution against her.

Duterte later denied making such threats, claiming her remarks were taken out of context.

The alleged kill plot was one of seven grounds cited by the House for her impeachment, with an overwhelming 215 lawmakers signing the endorsement of the articles of impeachment to the Senate last week.

Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V, a vocal critic of Duterte, supported the NBI's decision, though he noted it came as no surprise.

"That's really expected because I don't even know how they will be able to deny it, as we all saw it on her [Facebook] live — there's a video,” Ortega said, referring to the VP’s death threat toward government leaders.

“This development should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, and our democratic institutions must function without fear or favor,” he added.

Duterte stated she had yet to read the articles of impeachment but confirmed that her “legal team is preparing the defense and deciding what we will do moving forward.”

She declined to confirm whether her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, would still be part of her legal team.

Sara Duterte made history as the first Vice President ever impeached by Congress on allegations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. The Senate is expected to try her after the State of the Nation Address in July.