Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida brushed aside accusations that the government is picking who to prosecute, saying the cases involving Vice President Sara Duterte and former Speaker Martin Romualdez are being handled on the basis of evidence.
Vida said prosecutors cannot simply choose a different course because the person involved is a high-ranking politician.
“Ang decision ng Department of Justice at ating panel of prosecutors ay kung ano lang ang naayon sa ebidensiya,” Vida said.
He was asked about claims of selective justice following the grave threats case against Duterte and the plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Romualdez.
Vida said Duterte’s case moved forward because investigators and prosecutors found sufficient basis for the grave threats complaint.
He also cited the Ombudsman’s case against Romualdez, saying investigators followed the evidence in deciding where the complaint should go.
“Nakita din po natin nitong mga nakaraan araw na naghain na po ang Office of the Ombudsman ng kaso laban kay former Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Vida said.
For Vida, holding a public position does not put anyone beyond the reach of the law.
“Tayo po ay produkto ng ating ginawa. Kung may nilabag tayo sa batas, may kakaharap tayo,” he said.IMT
