SC may probe Sara Duterte's remarks on courts, police: Palace

Malacañang on Monday said the Supreme Court could investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent remarks expressing distrust in the Philippine courts and police. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, when asked if Duterte’s statements could constitute conduct unbecoming of a member of the Bar and potentially serve as a basis for disciplinary action or disbarment, said, “Maybe our Supreme Court can answer that. The Supreme Court can conduct a motu proprio, or on its own initiative, investigation into this.” Castro was referring to remarks made by Duterte explaining why she hesitated to enter Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 following the issuance of a warrant for her arrest. Duterte repeatedly said she did not trust the police, the courts or even the security personnel assigned to protect her. “I do not feel safe, I really do not feel safe. I don’t trust the court, I don’t trust the police,” she said in front of reporters and her lawyers. Castro noted that the Supreme Court has previously initiated investigations into lawyers over inappropriate behavior or actions. “Because this has been done in the case of other lawyers who exhibited unusual behavior or took actions that could not be considered appropriate for a lawyer,” Castro added. Castro said Malacañang does not encourage Filipinos to lose faith in the country’s justice system.— MCG, GMA News