Duterte-era arrests cited in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Impeachment prosecutors are citing the Duterte administration's own response to alleged online threats against former President Rodrigo Duterte to argue that Vice President Sara Duterte should be held to the same legal standard in her impeachment trial. House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said past arrests of ordinary citizens who allegedly posted threats against the former president show that authorities had treated even threats made by people with no apparent capacity to carry them out as serious. "Even if they did not have the capacity, even if these ordinary citizens did not have a private army or did not hire an assassin, even if they did not have the capability to offer several millions, it was still considered grave threats," Kapunan told ANC on Monday, July 13. She said that if those cases were treated seriously, the same standard should apply to public officials, who are held to a higher level of accountability. "Kung ang ordinaryong tao eh sineseryoso ng agencies natin, exempted ba ang isang vice president or any public official?" Kapunan said. In 2020, at least four people were arrested in separate areas of the country after posting online what authorities considered alleged death threats against then President Duterte. Public school teacher Ronnel Mas of Zambales was charged with incitement to sedition after allegedly posting on Twitter, now X, that he would give P50 million to anyone who could kill Duterte. Sedition charges in relation to the anti-cybercrime law were also filed against Joemarc Ebcay of Ozamiz after he allegedly posted a Facebook comment offering P150 million to anyone who could kill Duterte. Police also arrested Ronald Quiboyen, a construction worker, in Aklan for allegedly writing on Facebook that he would give P100 million for the same act. Maria Catherine Ceron of Cebu was also arrested for allegedly offering P75 million to kill Duterte. House prosecutors said they expect new developments in the alleged grave threats case against the vice president as they present their second witness on the fourth day of the impeachment trial. "Hindi na ito yung unang ebidensyang inilatag. May bago tayong ebidensyang ilalatag sa pamamagitan ng statements nitong ating mga bagong witnesses," House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said at a press briefing earlier Monday, ahead of the resumption of the impeachment trial. (This is no longer the first evidence presented. There is new evidence to be laid down through statements of new witnesses.) House prosecutors are expected to present NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc before the Senate impeachment court on Monday afternoon, July 13. House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Lotoc is expected to discuss the results of the National Bureau of Investigation's probe into Duterte's alleged threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez. Prosecutors said Lotoc's testimony is expected to strengthen the statements made by the first witness, NBI agent John Mark Calilung. The alleged grave threats case falls under Article IV of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte. The other allegations involve graft and corruption, unexplained wealth and misuse of confidential funds. The trial on the alleged grave threats is expected to run for 11 days out of the 92 trial days set by the Senate impeachment court. A guilty vote on any one article would be enough to convict and remove Duterte from office if supported by at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate impeachment court.