MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte will again skip the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe into her alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., scheduled on Wednesday, December 11.

In an interview with GMA News on Monday, December 10, Duterte said that her lawyers have explained that her appearance before the NBI is not necessary and that the submission of an affidavit or position paper would suffice. She also said that she has a scheduled event with reporters and other engagements on the same day.

“Puwede namang magsubmit na lang daw ng sulat or affidavit, depende sa aking desisyon, or position paper. Hindi rin ako makakapunta kasi, well unang-una na ‘yan, tapos pangalawa mayroon kaming thanksgiving na mga activity sa December 11. Pangatlo, after ng thanksgiving activities namin ay pauwi rin ako rito sa Davao City para maglibing ng uncle ko,” the Vice President said.

(They said I could just submit a letter or an affidavit, depending on my decision, or a position paper. I won’t be able to go because, well, first of all, that’s already one reason, and secondly, we have thanksgiving activities on December 11. Thirdly, after our thanksgiving activities, I will also be going back here to Davao City to bury my uncle.)

Duterte was initially summoned to appear before the NBI on November 29 but instead, she sent a letter through her lawyer explaining her absence — she supposedly learned, too late, that the House probe into her alleged fund misuse that morning had been rescheduled. The House committee on good government had announced the postponement a day earlier to give way to the NBI probe.

NBI chief Jaime Santiago said as early as November 29 that Duterte’s appearance will be reset to December 11 to give her and her lawyers ample time to prepare for the investigation into her alleged grave threats and possible violation of the anti-terror law.

The NBI is investigating Duterte over verbal threats she made against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez during a midnight press briefing on November 23. Duterte has denied the accusations, saying that her remarks were “maliciously taken out of context.” (READ: Sara Duterte: If I get killed, so will Marcos, Liza Araneta, Romualdez)

The press briefing was prompted by an order to transfer Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who was then detained at the House facility, to the women’s prison in Mandaluyong City. Lopez had been cited for contempt due to her “undue interference in proceedings” during the legislative inquiry into the Vice President’s alleged misuse of funds.

The NBI had also subpoenaed summoned members of the media who covered the press briefing, along with vloggers from the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), to shed light on the incident.

– Rappler.com