VP Sara Duterte claims threats, harassment; Senator urges serious investigation

Vice President Sara Duterte has claimed to be facing threats and harassment since 2023, expressing concerns for her safety. In response, Senator Win Gatchalian has urged the police to take these threats seriously and investigate their origin. "If the Vice President feels or sees any threat to her life or her family, it should be taken seriously," Gatchalian told Super Radyo dzBB. He added, "I also call on the police to conduct their own investigation into where these threats are coming from because this is not a good thing." Gatchalian emphasized that the safety of all citizens, whether a Vice President or an ordinary individual, should be protected by the government, and any threats should be taken seriously, along with any harm that may befall their families. Duterte, after posting bail at a Quezon City court on Saturday, a day after an arrest warrant was issued against her in relation to a grave threats case, stated in a statement that she does not feel safe. "I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them," Duterte said. She further added, "I already left where my children were to go to court, but the police still went there. I do not feel safe. I feel like they're going to kill me." Meanwhile, Gatchalian opined that the grave threats case against the Vice President will not affect the ongoing impeachment trial. "In my opinion, it will have no effect on me or on the impeachment because the court case and the impeachment are separate. The court may have determined that there is probable cause, but that does not mean the accused is already guilty," Gatchalian said in a dzBB Super Radyo interview. "The same goes for the impeachment court. The defense will present their pieces of evidence. We will assess them and then reach a decision," he added.