NBI Director Jaime Santiago and other bureau officials wait for Vice President Sara Duterte on Nov. 29, 2024. Niko Baua, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun of Zambales expressed disappointment over Vice President Sara Duterte's failure to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday.

The NBI issued a subpoena to Duterte to ask her about her earlier statement she contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez should a supposed plot against her push through. 

Duterte had initially said she would ask for a reschedule because of a conflict with a House hearing, where, she said, she wanted to be with Office of the Vice President staff who would testify on how confidential funds granted in 2022 and 2023 were spent.

READ: Marcos says row with VP Sara Duterte ‘a storm in a teacup’, tells lawmakers not to file impeachment raps

"Nakakalungkot dahil kinancel nga ng Blue Ribbon Committee yung kanyang hearing ngayong araw na ito para sana mabigyan ng oportunidad ang ating Bise Presidente para umattend [sa] NBI. At nakakalungkot na hindi pumunta ang ating Bise Presidente," he told reporters in an online interview.

(It is saddening because the committee cancelled its hearing today to give the Vice President an opportunity to respond to the NBI. And it's saddening that she did not go in the end)

Khonghun claimed Duterte has continued to avoid all issues against her, including that of confidential funds.

"Ngayon iiwas nanaman siya na harapin niya ang subpoena sa NBI. So sana harapin na lamang niya ito ng diresto," he said.

(And now she is avoiding addressing the NBI subpoena. So she should just face this directly)

READ: VP Sara Duterte asks NBI to reschedule hearing on threat vs Marcos

DUTERTE SENDS LETTER

In her letter to the NBI, Duterte said she found out late that the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability had cancelled the hearing scheduled for Friday morning.

Khonghun, who was part of the House panel's press briefing on Thursday, said a notice had been sent out early Thursday afternoon.

"Alam naman natin nalaman din niya ito. Tingin natin itong kanyang sinasabi, wala naman talaga siyang balak humarap sa NBI," he said.

(We know that she knew about it. I think she really had no intention of meeting with the NBI)

"Kawawa naman yung ordinaryong mamamayan kapag na sinusubpoena lalo na ng NBI, ito ay humaharap. Dito natin nakikita na kapag ikaw ba ay makapangyarihan at mayaman, di ka na kailangan humarap?" he said.

(Pity our ordinary citizens who, when issued a subpoena, especially if from the NBI, have to attend. Here, we see that if someone is powerful and rich, it seems they do not have to)

DELA ROSA: NOTHING STOPPING NBI FROM GOING TO OVP

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Duterte is willing to cooperate with the NBI in its investigation, citing personal communication with the Vice President.

“It’s her option to go there. Kung ayaw niya, siya na bahala diyan. Still, the NBI can go to her office instead to conduct an investigation.Hindi naman sila pinipigilan pumunta sa OVP para sa investigation. She’s willing to face naman the investigation,” Dela Rosa said.

(It's her option to go there. If she doesn't want to, then that's up to her. Still, the NBI can go to her office to conduct an investigation. Nobody is stopping them from going there. She's willing to face the investigation.)

The senator added that he keeps Duterte updated on the well-being of two members of the OVP staff — including chief of staff Zuleika Lopez — who are confined in Veterans Memorial Medical Center. 

Dela Rosa went to VMMC over the weekend to help keep an eye on Lopez, who has since been diagnosed with acute stress disorder, but said Friday he has also been confined for a "viral infection."