Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua said Vice President Sara Duterte cannot use her position as a lawyer or as the country’s second-highest official to shield herself from possible disciplinary action by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) over her remarks against the judiciary.
Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel in Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, supported calls for the Supreme Court to examine the Vice President’s public declaration that she no longer trusts the courts.
The lawmaker said Duterte’s status does not exempt her from accountability and could instead make the issue more serious. As a member of the legal profession, he said her conduct could be subject to administrative scrutiny if a formal complaint is lodged against her.
Asked whether the same professional standards should apply to Duterte, Chua said:
“Kahit sino siguro. Lahat tayo,”
Chua also criticized Duterte’s statement about losing trust in the courts as sweeping and lacking any specific qualification, noting that she did not name a particular tribunal.
“Wala naman siya, hindi naman niya ki-nualify ito. Ito ay isang sweeping statement para sa lahat. So ibig sabihin hanggang sa pinakamataas ay wala siyang tiwala. So napakabigat ito,” the lawmaker said.
Duterte made the statement on Saturday, September 5, outside the Quezon City Hall of Justice, where she appeared to post bail in connection with three counts of grave threats. She said she did not trust the judiciary, the police, or even members of her security detail because she feared for her safety.
She later posted ₱360,000 bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, which lifted the arrest order against her.
The cases arose from Duterte’s November 2024 remarks claiming that she had arranged for the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez in the event that she was killed.
Duterte is also facing an impeachment trial before the Senate over the assassination remarks and three other allegations. She has denied the accusations.
Chua said Duterte’s comments were particularly inappropriate because of her dual roles as Vice President and lawyer. He stressed that members of the legal profession are regarded as officers of the court and are expected to respect the judiciary.
“At bilang abogado, kami lahat ay mga officers of the court, so kami dapat ay nagbibigay ng galang sa ating mga kagalang-galang na mga mahistrado.”
The congressman also welcomed the possibility of the Supreme Court conducting its own inquiry into the Vice President’s statements.
“Mas maganda. Kasi ang Korte natin mismo ang kanyang binastos. So dapat bilang officer of the court, dapat imbestigahan siya. Motu-proprio. Kung pwede.”
Chua further cited a 2011 incident involving Duterte, who was then mayor of Davao City, when she punched a sheriff who was implementing a court order.
The lawmaker said the incident should have prompted an investigation or sanction against Duterte at the time.
“Dapat nga doon pa lang, nung nanapak siya ng sheriff, na empleyado ng korte, dapat doon pa lang, inimbestigahan na siya, o at least binigyan siya ng sanction,” he said.