Photo credit: Congress PH

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially received the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) recommendation to file charges against Vice President Sara Duterte. The charges? Inciting to sedition and grave threats, all in connection with her previous remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, let’s break down what this means. The case isn’t in court yet—it’s still in the hands of the National Prosecution Service (NPS), which will conduct a preliminary investigation. Their job? To determine if there’s enough solid evidence to move forward with a case that has a reasonable chance of conviction.

What Happens Next?

Sara Duterte, like any respondent, will have the chance to submit a counter-affidavit and challenge the accusations. The prosecutors will then weigh both sides and decide if there’s enough legal ground to push through with the case or dismiss it due to lack of evidence.

Understanding the Charges

Grave Threats – This refers to statements that create a real and imminent danger to a specific person. It doesn’t matter if the recipient actually felt threatened; what matters is whether the intent was to instill fear or intimidation.

Inciting to Sedition – This penalizes speech that poses a real risk to public order, even if no actual unrest happens. While free speech is a constitutional right, it doesn’t protect statements that could incite violence, rebellion, or public disorder.

The DOJ’s Stand

The DOJ assures the public that due process will be strictly followed and that their focus remains on upholding the rule of law. This means a fair evaluation of the evidence, without undue influence from politics or public opinion.

For now, all eyes are on the DOJ’s next move. Will the case proceed? Or will it be dismissed? We’ll have to wait and see how this legal battle unfolds.