VP Sara's remarks 'disturbing,' says Justice chief Remulla

The Department of Justice is looking into the possible legal consequences of the recent remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte in a press conference last week. 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the vice president breached some “moral principles.” 

“Marami kasing approaches diyan (There are many approaches to that). Pero it desecrates the memory of a person, it desecrates the peaceful state that he must be in, having already perished,” he told reporters Monday.

“There are many other moral principles that are being violated and we are looking at the legal aspects. We are conducting a study,” the Justice chief added.

Remulla also said the vice president’s statements were “very disturbing” and “unbecoming” of the second highest official in the country. 

“Very disturbing. For a person of her rank, the second highest official on the land, the remarks are unbecoming I think….We have to treat the office sacred,” he said.

Duterte talked to the media last October 18 where she made controversial tirades against her former ally President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. She shared that she told the president’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that she would dig up the body of their late father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and throw it in the West Philippine Sea if the attacks against her don’t stop. 

The vice president also said during the press conference that she imagined cutting off the president’s head as she finds her relationship with him “toxic.” 

Malacañang refused to comment on the remarks made by the vice president. However, lawmakers have mixed views on Duterte’s recent behavior.

For his part, Senate President Francis Escudero said that the vice president should exercise caution in her public pronouncements. 

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said that it’s up to the public how they see Duterte’s remarks. 

GMA News Online sought Duterte's reaction and will post it as soon as available.—LDF, GMA Integrated News