National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago came under fire on Monday for downplaying House lawmakers’ call to investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte over his alleged intent to blow up 15 senators to make room for his allies in the upcoming elections.

1-Rider Rep. Ramon Gutierrez, a lawyer and one of the prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case, argued that Santiago should have exercised “abundant caution” and conducted a preliminary probe before outright rejecting the request to investigate the former chief executive’s remarks.

“It could be political rhetoric; he could be right. But I think he should at least entertain the idea, not dismiss it right away. In preliminary investigation, if they see that no one was actually contracted to kill the 15 senators, at the very least abundant caution,” Gutierrez said in a briefing.

He added, “We respect the NBI director. That's how he sees his job. Perhaps he is choosing which one to investigate or not. But I just side by Cong. [Zia] Adiong’s statement that it should be taken seriously.”

In an interview on Monday, Santiago dismissed House members’ request to consider legal action against the former president, comparing it to the case against the vice president, who was charged by the NBI with grave threats and inciting to sedition for allegedly threatening the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Santiago downplayed Duterte’s statement about blowing up 15 senators, calling it mere “rhetoric” and “part of political propaganda.” He also pointed out that the former president did not name specific individuals or clarify whether he was referring to incumbent senators or candidates, making it difficult for the NBI to pursue legal steps.

“With all due respect to Congressman Adiong and other congressmen, they are instigating the NBI to investigate [but] they are not the ones who were threatened," Santiago said in Filipino.

Adiong, however, countered that a direct threat is not necessary for authorities to take preemptive action against Duterte’s remarks. He insisted that it is time for authorities to set clear boundaries for Duterte, who is known for his tough-talking and often inflammatory statements, frequently dismissed as mere jokes.

“It’s about time that the law enforcement agencies take [this rhetoric] seriously. As to whether or not there is validity or there’s a merit for the NBI to pursue filing charges against president Duterte, that would depend on how they would probably proceed,” Adiong said.

“That's why there should be an investigation to make sure that there is indeed a merit to file possible cases,” he added.

Over the weekend, Adiong and his colleagues urged the NBI to look into Duterte’s remarks, arguing that such threats, particularly during an election season, cannot be ignored.

During PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally on Thursday, Duterte suggested using bomb blasts to eliminate 15 senators so that all nine of his party’s senatorial bets could secure seats. The 12 May midterm elections will see 12 Senate seats contested out of the chamber’s 24 members.

His comments came in the wake of his daughter’s impeachment, which has put Vice President Duterte’s political future — especially her presidential ambitions — in question.

The Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court in late July, at the start of the 20th Congress, to try the vice president.

Echoing his colleagues, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor emphasized the need to end the normalization of crass jokes from the Dutertes.

“It has to stop, and it shouldn’t be tolerated… It should stop right now while the people are clamoring for it, while Congress is at it, and while it’s in the hands of the Senate. It should stop as soon as possible,” Defensor said, referring to the vice president’s looming impeachment trial.

To recall, the House outlined seven articles of impeachment against VP Duterte, including culpable violations of the Constitution over her alleged plot to kill the president.