NBI to cooperate if Ombudsman opts to take over Sara Duterte probe

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will cooperate should the Office of the Ombudsman decide to take over the investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte's controversial kill remark against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the bureau said Friday.

"Yes, yes," NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a press briefing.

He jokingly added, "Eh 'di mas mabuti, sila na mag imbestiga. Nakaligtas na kami."

(It would be better if they take over. Then we'll be spared.)

This developed after Ombudsman Samuel Martires said Thursday that his office can take over the investigation if it determined that it already has jurisdiction.

"One of the powers of the Ombudsman is to take over the investigation of the case of any government investigative agency at any stage of the proceedings," Martires told GMA Integrated News.

The Ombudsman said his office would only investigate Duterte if her alleged threats were made in the course of her duties as vice president.

For now, Martires said he has yet to see anything that requires action.

Martires issued the remark after Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the Ombudsman has the authority to "discipline and take the necessary measures" to deliver on its mandate as the investigator of all high-ranking officials.

Martires told Andres to stop talking about the case.

Andres, meanwhile, declined to comment further, saying only that the DOJ will continue to stand up for justice, national security, and the rule of law.

He said he has reached out to Martires.

“Nag communicate na po ako para hindi po through media but directly po sa office ko. Wala pong problema. Ako po ay rumirespeto,” Andres said.

(I have communicated with him directly from my office so that it will not go through the media. There’s no problem. I respect him.)

He said it is the prerogative of the Ombudsman should they take over the investigation.

“We will respect them,” he said.

Duterte was scheduled to appear before the NBI today, Friday, to shed light on her remark that she already gave orders to have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez killed should a plot against her succeed.

The vice president's camp, however, asked the NBI to reschedule the hearing. It has been reset to Dec. 11.

Earlier, the House committee on good government and public accountability announced the postponement of its scheduled hearing on Friday to give way to the NBI's summon for Duterte. The panel is investigating alleged issues with the budget use of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Duterte's leadership. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News