Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez on Tuesday urged Vice President Sara Duterte to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which is probing her alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other leaders.

Duterte earlier said she contracted someone to kill the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez should she be killed.

The Department of Justice official was asked about reports that Duterte will once again skip the NBI's probe at an event in Pasay City on Tuesday.

"Well, that's part of the legal process. If they believe that she's better off not attending, that's their lookout. But that's a matter that would be left to the discretion of their defense team but it would be best if she would present herself because that's part of the process," Vasquez said.

"Everybody should follow the rule of law and the processes with respect to investigations by our law enforcement agencies," he added.

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The NBI originally summoned Duterte to appear at its hearing on November 29 to shed light on her controversial remarks.

Duterte was a no-show and asked the NBI to reschedule because she reportedly found out too late about the cancelation of a House inquiry scheduled on the same date.

The House panel is looking into the use of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, under Duterte's leadership.

Duterte also sought a reset of the hearing to give her more time to prepare.

The NBI then set December 11 as the new date for the hearing.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said if Duterte fails to appear again or cooperate, they will still continue their investigation.

He also said they may proceed to file cases against the Vice President without her explanation.

The DOJ earlier said Duterte could face complaints for libel, defamation, and grave threat for her remarks against Marcos Jr.

"We will wait till the law enforcement agency will file the proper charges before the National Prosecution Service. We don't want to pre-empt any of these proceedings and we should let the processes proceed in its natural course," Vasquez said.

The DOJ official said the complainant could be the law enforcement agencies, not necessarily the President.

"We will see. Normally since it's a public crime, it's not necessary that there be an individual. But the fact that there was a public individual that was the subject of the so-called offenses, then it would be best. In all proceedings of this nature, there is a public prosecutor and there is a private complainant," Vasquez explained.

Duterte earlier said her statement was taken out of context, citing the "revenge plot" had a specific condition.

House panel to end probe into VP Sara Duterte's confidential funds as impeachment looms

The Vice President faces two impeachment complaints so far, one endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and another backed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers.

Among the grounds they cited for her impeachment are graft and corruption, bribery, and betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

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