DUTERTE REMARKS BORDERING ON SEDITION – DOJ

JUSTICE Undersecretary Jesse Andres emphasized on Tuesday evening the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is exhausting all legal remedies available against the remarks of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which is bordering on sedition.

Andres revealed their investigation on the former president’s remarks will be included in the investigation being conducted if they are “part and parcel” of the supposed destabilization plot against the administration.

“For him to invite the military to have a part in seeking remedy is bordering on sedition and is legally actionable,” Andres said.

“Iyon pong mga pananalita ng dating pangulong Duterte ay iimbestigahan din natin kasabay nung ibang mga nangyayari ngayong mga panahon. Sa pagkaalam ko po, mayroon ding mga ibang tao na nanghihikayat nang kaunting – I do not know, something of a demonstration. And we do not know whether this is coming from the efforts of the former President or elsewhere. But again, we will have to look at every angle,” he added.

“The threat issued by the Vice President is something that should also be factored in whether this is really part and parcel of a bigger plan for destabilization.”

Andres made the remarks after Duterte said there is a fractured governance in the Philippines today as he called on the military to protect the Constitution and rethink their support to the Marcos administration.

The DOJ official explained there is no such thing as fractured governance in the country as the judiciary and the legal processes are functioning..

He stressed the remedy available is with the courts. “Our courts are functioning,” he added.

“If there is any legal remedy they need to exhaust, the judicial and legal processes are available,” he said.

“Bukas po ang legal na — matibay po at bukas ang legal na framework ng ating bansa. We have a strong and functioning republic. There is no such thing as fractured governance,” he added.

Andres assured the Filipino people the government is ready to address the issue and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a professional organization loyal to the chain of command.

He said the statements of the former president and Vice President Sara Duterte will not be taken lightly.