Sara no-show at NBI, asks for rescheduling

Vice President Sara Duterte begged off yesterday from her scheduled appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to answer allegations of grave threat against President Marcos, and sent instead her lawyer to explain her absence and seek a rescheduling.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

At a press conference, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they had initially thought that Duterte was on her way for the 9 a.m. appointment, but it was her legal counsel Paul Lawrence Lim who showed up to deliver a letter requesting a postponement “to a later date.”

The NBI reset its appointment with the Vice President to Dec. 11, a Wednesday.

“We were expecting the Vice President to appear at 9 a.m. Her security team even checked the premises earlier, but attorney Lim arrived with a letter requesting a reset of the appearance,” Santiago said.

According to the letter, Duterte had belatedly learned of the cancellation of her appearance before the House committee on good government and public accountability. Late Thursday, the committee cancelled its scheduled hearing yesterday on Duterte’s confidential funds to deprive her of an excuse to skip her NBI appointment.

“The Vice President did not request a specific date, but after discussions with her legal counsel, we are tentatively setting her appearance for Dec. 11, around 9 or 10 a.m.,” Santiago added.

In the letter addressed to Santiago, Duterte’s legal team also requested for a clear copy of the complaint or any documents supporting the investigation, as well as a list of questions she may be asked during the inquiry.