Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has pressed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to explain the apparent discrepancy in how authorities executed arrest warrants for Vice President Sara Duterte and veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr.
Ridon raised concerns that the contrasting enforcement methods point to preferential treatment, noting that both individuals faced bailable offenses, yet experienced entirely different procedures over the weekend.
“Kaya nga ang sabi namin, mahalaga po talaga magpaliwanag yung pong Philippine National Police doon po sa aktwal na pagkakaiba nitong dalawang kaso na ito,” Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, said.
“Kasi nga, si Ginoong Lustre ay inaresto on a weekend, samantalang si Vice President Sara Duterte, hindi inimplement yung pong arrest order laban sa kanya on a weekend, on a similar bailable offense, no?” he added.
Lustre, a 72-year-old journalist and author recognized for his coverage of the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign, was taken into custody on October 24 shortly after attending a media forum in Quezon City. The arrest followed a cyberlibel case initiated in Davao City. Detained for hours, Lustre’s camp faced obstacles posting the ₱48,000 bail due to weekend constraints, prompting questions over the timing of the police action.
In contrast, an arrest warrant had been issued against Vice President Duterte by a Quezon City Regional Trial Court on September 4 for three counts of grave threats linked to her November 2024 statements against President Marcos and other officials—allegations that also formed part of her impeachment case.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously stated that while law enforcement knew Duterte’s location, they refrained from a forcible arrest out of respect for her office, allowing her to voluntarily appear in court to post ₱360,000 bail on September 5.
Ridon argued that the PNP needs to address whether the Vice President’s high-ranking status justified the leniency.
“Ibig sabihin, kung ang sasabihin nila, dahil ang pangalawang pangulo ang— uh, pangalawang pangulo, kaya ho sila nagbigay ng kurtesiya na hindi ho siya arestuhin yun po yung banggitin po nilang paliwanag, para at least malinaw lang ho sa tao na, well, that looks kind of like double standard to all of us, di ba?” Ridon stated, emphasizing that the public deserves transparency regarding police operational guidelines.
Meanwhile, press freedom advocates and journalists have raised alarms over Lustre’s detention.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon acknowledged potential due process gaps after discovering that the initial subpoena for the journalist was delivered to an incorrect address.
“Well, alam na ho natin na diskarte po yan ng mga nagdaan, ano?” Ridon noted regarding the procedural flaws.