A recent statement by Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay, downplaying Vice President Sara Duterte's comments about hiring a hitman, has sparked a strong response from Malacañang. In a bold move, the Palace has called out Suntay for his casual dismissal of the Vice President's remarks, which included threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
But here's where it gets controversial... Suntay, a fellow lawyer, argued that Duterte's words were not actual threats because they were conditional. He claimed that the threat was merely a hypothetical scenario, a plan without substance. However, the Palace, through its press officer Claire Castro, strongly disagreed.
Castro emphasized that any threat against the life of the President, regardless of its nature, should be taken seriously. She highlighted the impact such threats can have, stating, "It creates fear and anxiety in the person being threatened, and it constitutes intimidation." She further explained the legal distinction between grave threats and homicide, stating that the former involves the threat of a crime against a person's life, honor, or property.
And this is the part most people miss... Suntay's perspective might be different if the threat were directed at his own family. Castro pointed out, "If someone called and told him, 'I am imagining myself killing you,' wouldn't they feel threatened?" She argued that Suntay's casual attitude towards the threat could be a result of it not being directed at his loved ones.
The Palace's stance is clear: they will not tolerate any threats, whether real or perceived, against the President. President Marcos himself has stated that he will not interfere in the impeachment hearing against the Vice President, but he expects due process to be followed and the Constitution to be upheld.
So, what do you think? Is Suntay's interpretation of the Vice President's remarks reasonable, or does it downplay the seriousness of the situation? Feel free to share your thoughts and engage in a respectful discussion in the comments below!
