The Department of Justice (DoJ) said yesterday it hoped Vice President Sara Duterte would see the criminal complaints filed against her as an opportunity to clear her name.

DoJ spokesperson Mico Clavano was referring to the grave threat and incitement to sedition complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Duterte on Wednesday.

Duterte has been impeached by the House of Representatives with 215 votes, but Senate President Francis Escudero said the upper chamber may open her trial in July after members of the incoming 20th Congress are sworn into office.

House lawmakers, however, maintained the Senate was duty bound to immediately begin Duterte’s trial by calling for a special session or by 2 June when the 19th Congress resumes its session before breaking for the May 2025 midterm elections.

As for the NBI charges, Clavano said it’s “a transparent process” and the DoJ is being “cautious in this situation because we know that this is against one of the highest officials of the land.”

He said Duterte in her defense could submit a counter-affidavit to refute the allegation that she threatened to have the First Couple and Speaker Martin Romualdez killed.

The National Prosecution Service (NPS) will analyze and determine if there is a reasonable certainty of conviction that would warrant the filing of charges against Duterte in court, Clavano said.

This means the complaints may either be returned to the NBI for further case build-up or proceed to a preliminary investigation, which could eventually lead to the filing of cases in court. The NPS, according to Clavano, is expected to make an initial determination within a few days.