Malacañang affirmed the professionalism and impartiality of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after Vice President Sara Duterte voiced safety concerns while posting bail for grave threats charges on Saturday, September 5, at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) asserted in a statement that law enforcers were simply carrying out their legal duties without political bias.
“Ipinatutupad ng PNP ang kanilang mandato ayon sa batas, walang kinikilingan at nang walang halong pulitika kundi para bawat Filipino lamang,” it said.
Duterte previously shared that she had been facing alleged threats and harassment since 2023, expressing anxiety for her personal safety and the security of her children.
“Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte, pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis,” Duterte said.
“I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako,” she added.
The PCO reassured the public that police officers remain dedicated to professional conduct when protecting the rights of individuals in their custody.
“Buo ang tiwala ng administrasyon sa pamunuan ng PNP at sa hanay nito,” it said.
The Palace released the statement amid heightened public attention over police deployment at the Quezon City court during Duterte’s appearance, which the PNP clarified was standard security procedure.
Malacañang also urged citizens to address any complaints regarding law enforcement through formal legal procedures rather than leveling baseless claims.
“Ang anumang agam-agam o reklamo hinggil sa aksyon ng pulisya ay maaari nilang ipaabot ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng legal na pamamaraan at hindi sa pagsasagawa ng mga usaping walang batayan,” it said.
It reinforced that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strictly prohibits using the police force to carry out violence.
“Nais din naming ipaalala sa lahat na ang administrasyong ito ay hindi papayag na maging sandata ang kapulisan sa anumang karahasan,” it said.
Duterte appeared in court after Branch 98 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant, establishing probable cause to proceed to trial and determining bail at ₱120,000 per count for three counts.
The legal action stems from her November 2024 comments claiming she contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded—remarks she maintained were taken out of context.