NBI probe may prompt legal action vs Sara Duterte – Ace Barbers

Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. —File photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta | INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Z. Duterte may face a separate legal action after her impeachment trial if the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) continuing investigation produces additional evidence on her alleged plan to have the president killed. Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, House impeachment adviser and spokesperson, suggested this possibility in an interview on Monday over the One News program “Morning Matters.” “But what I can say is that we will consider all possible legal actions that may happen after the impeachment trial,” Barbers said Article continues after this advertisement NBI Director Melvin Matibag had testified before the impeachment court that the bureau was treating Duterte’s alleged statements as a plan affecting national security, prompting him to form a task force to monitor persons of interest. READ: hreats vs president also threaten national security – NBI chief The NBI probe is separate from the Senate proceedings, which will decide on Duterte’s constitutional accountability and fitness to remain in public office. “Well, remember, it’s not only the impeachable offenses that are being investigated here,” Barbers said in a mix of English and Filipino. The fourth impeachment article accuses Duterte of betraying public trust for making public threats to have someone kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Article continues after this advertisement Meanwhile, the NBI is continuing to find out the identity of the person Duterte allegedly talked to carry out the threat and whether the arrangement will expose her or others to criminal liability. READ: NBI chief: Sara Duterte influenced individuals to threaten Marcos Article continues after this advertisement “This is a continuing threat to the national security because it is a continuing threat to the president of the republic,” Barbers stressed. According to him, information that may come out after the prosecution ends it evidence presentation for the fourth impeachment article will be valuable to law enforcement even if it is no longer needed to support the impeachment charge. Barbers said the prosecution would decide its response based on the evidence and circumstances that emerge from the continuing inquiry. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “So I guess we will probably cross the bridge when we get there,” he added. /atm