DOJ chief 'saddened' by VP's safety concerns, assures law enforcers ready to protect Filipinos

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday expressed sadness over Vice President Sara Duterte's statement that she feels unsafe in the country, assuring that law enforcement agencies are prepared to protect all Filipinos. "Nakakalungkot po na para sa pangalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating bansa na ano… of course, these are legitimate feelings. I don't like to speculate where she is coming from," he said in a press briefing. (It is sad that for the second-highest official of our country to, you know… of course, these are legitimate feelings. I don't like to speculate where she is coming from.) "Nakakalungkot pero patuloy naman po pinapatotohanan ng ating iba't ibang law enforcement agencies na sila ay handa at gaganap sa kanilang tungkulin para ma-secure hindi lamang ang ating vice president, kundi lahat ng Pilipino," he added. (It is sad, but our various law enforcement agencies continue to demonstrate that they are ready and will perform their duties to secure not only our vice president, but all Filipinos.) To recall, the DOJ filed three counts of grave threats against the vice president over her remarks that she hired an individual to kill President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez, should an alleged plot against her succeed. Duterte posted bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Saturday, a day after the issuance of an arrest warrant against her in connection to her grave threats case. Moments before this, the vice president repeatedly said to the media and her lawyers that she did not feel safe. Aguirre said the DOJ and its panel of prosecutors decided on the charges based on evidence. "Ang panawagan po ng inyong lingkod, patungkol tayong magtiwala sa mga institusyon, sa mga proseso na nangyayari... mayroon pong mga karapatan ang bawat isa, mga akusado o respondent, ginagalang po natin 'yan," he said. (We call on the public to trust the institutions and the processes that are taking place. Each one has rights, the accused or respondent, and we respect that.) He also denied claims of "selective justice." "Tayo po ay produkto ng ating ginawa. Kung may ginawa tayong labag sa batas, may kakaharapin tayo. Kasi mas mabigat po na hindi natin kaharapan 'yung consequences ng ating ginawa," he said. (We are products of what we have done. If we did something against the law, we will face the consequences. Because it is heavier if we do not face the consequences of what we have done.) Aguirre also reiterated the department's position that only the President is immune from suit while in office. — VDV, GMA News