During a Senate impeachment hearing on Tuesday, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc clarified that an actual public revolt does not need to occur for statements to be legally classified as inciting to sedition under Philippine law.
Responding to questions from Senator Joel Villanueva, Lotoc detailed the legal and factual justifications that prompted the NBI to recommend criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“In order to be seditious yung speeches, it is not necessary na merong actual sedition,” Lotoc said.
He explained that the crime centers on speech that actively encourages unlawful actions against the administration, rather than requiring proof that an actual rebellion took place.
“The law also penalizes or punishes those statements na mag-e-encourage to overthrow the government,” he added, citing the Supreme Court ruling in People v. Nabong.
The legal battle stems from February 2025, when the NBI filed formal complaints against Duterte for grave threats and inciting to sedition before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The charges trace back to Duterte’s controversial remarks during a November 2024 online press conference. In that broadcast, she claimed she had instructed an individual to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event that she herself was killed. These statements are currently cited as core allegations under Article IV of the active impeachment complaint against her.
Lotoc testified that investigators heavily factored in Duterte’s status as the nation’s second-highest official, noting that her immense influence magnified the potential consequences of her rhetoric.
“Nakita namin na kung pwede palang gawin ito ng isa sa pinakamataas na posisyon ng Pilipinas, at hindi natin ito ia-address o hindi natin ire-regulate, pwede na rin po pala itong gawin ng kahit na sino,” Lotoc said.
He warned that leaving such statements unaddressed by law enforcement could send a dangerous message to the general public.
“Kapag nakita ito ng taong bayan at walang kilos na ginawa yung gobyerno, parang domino effect yan,” Lotoc added.