By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores on Sunday (24 Nov 2024) said the recent meltdown of Vice President Sara Duterte where she not only shouted invectives directed at elected government officials but also issued a death threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should be investigated for criminal liability.
A lawyer by profession, Flores pointed out that if bomb jokes can land a person in jail, he believes that threatening the highest public official of the land should have its legal repercussions and criminal consequences.
“Kung ang simpleng bomb joke nga ay nagiging dahilan para arestuhin at ikulong ang isang tao, paano pa kaya ang pagbabanta ng kamatayan laban sa ating Pangulo? Death threats, especially directed at the President, should never be taken lightly,” Flores said.
He said the Department of Justice (DOJ) should seriously study the liability incurred by Duterte by directly hurling death threats to the President.
The congressman referred to a case in August 2024 where a senior citizen was offloaded from a flight and detained after making a bomb joke inside the plane. He argued that if such a statement could warrant swift action and detention, much more should be expected when a vice president makes death threats.
“In that case, ang simple at biro lamang na bomb joke ay agad na inaksyunan. Ano pa kaya itong banta laban sa ating Pangulo? We urge the DOJ to look into possible criminal liability against Vice President Duterte,” Flores added.
During her outburst, Duterte allegedly threatened the lives of President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The statements, described by many as shocking and unbecoming of a high-ranking official, have prompted calls for accountability.
“Death threats are a serious matter. Hindi ito dapat isantabi o balewalain. The vice president’s words were not only reckless but also dangerous. They undermine our democracy and the rule of law,” Flores said.
“Under our laws, death threats are considered a criminal offense,” he emphasized.
The congressman also called for the vice president to face the consequences of her actions, stating that accountability is paramount for public officials.
“Ang pananagutan ay hindi lang para sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino. Kung ang isang senior citizen na nagbiro ng bomba ay agad na dinampot, dapat ay hindi exempted ang kahit sino, kahit pa ang bise presidente,” Flores stated.
Flores added that the gravity of the Vice President’s position makes her words even more consequential.
“As a public official, lalo na bilang bise presidente, she has a responsibility to uphold peace and order. Her words have weight, and her actions should set an example,” he said.
“Kapag pinabayaan natin ang ganitong asal, it weakens the trust of the people in our institutions. We cannot let this slide,” Flores added.
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