Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that she does not feel safe should be taken seriously, even as he maintained that she cannot use immunity to stop the criminal case against her.
Vida made the statement after Duterte questioned the safety of the proceedings against her before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
“Dapat hindi tayo judgemental. Of course, these are legitimate feelings,” he said during a press conference.
Vida said he was saddened that Duterte, being the country’s second-highest official, would feel unsafe. He added that law enforcement agencies have assured that they are ready to protect her.
“We cannot gaslight the feelings of an individual,” he said.
But when it comes to the criminal case, Vida said there is no special exemption for the Vice President. He pointed out that under the country’s existing system, immunity from suit while in office applies only to the President.
“Ang meron lang immunity from suit habang naka-upo ay ang ating mahal na Pangulo. Ang Vice President po, sa bagay na ito, ay wala pong immunity from suit,” he said.
Duterte is facing a grave threats case over her remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. She is currently out on bail.IMT
