Vice President Sara Duterte does not have immunity from suit while in office, according to Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.
Vida said the country’s existing legal framework grants immunity from suit during a term of office only to the President, meaning the Vice President may still face criminal proceedings even while serving as an impeachable official.
“Consistent ang Department of Justice na sa umiiral po na batas na sistemang legal sa Pilipinas ang meron lang immunity from suit habang nakaupo ay ang ating mahal na pangulo,” Vida said.
“Ang vice president po sa partikular na bagay na ito ay walang immunity,” he added.
The Justice secretary made the statement in response to the position of Duterte’s legal team that the criminal proceedings against her should not proceed while she remains in office.
Vida maintained that being an impeachable official does not prevent criminal charges from being filed against the Vice President before a regular court.
Duterte is currently facing three counts of grave threats before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court over alleged statements threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other government officials.