Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Vice-President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024, while the hearing on alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education is suspended. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173302077384220241125-duterte-sara-hor-hearing-MT-6.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police on Sunday said that the cases it had filed against Vice President Sara Duterte and others were &quot;not politically motivated&quot; but an exercise of its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.</p><p>A police doctor on Wednesday <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/27/qc-police-file-assault-and-other-raps-vs-duterte-security-detail-official-1332">filed a complaint</a> against Duterte, the head of her security detail, and others over an incident at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).</p><p>The complaint accuses Duterte, her security head Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, and others of unlawful acts related to the alleged assault, disobedience, and coercion that occurred during the transfer of her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez to VMMC from House of Representatives Detention Center last weekend. </p><p>The police claimed Duterte’s security detail assisted in the &quot;forced transfer&quot; of Lopez from the VMMC to the St. Luke’s Medical Center using a private ambulance.</p><p>Duterte has said she also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/28/-it-s-anybody-s-right-pnp-welcomes-vp-sara-duterte-s-plan-to-file-complaints-vs-cops-1423">plans to file criminal complaints against police officers</a> involved in Lopez&#x27;s transfer last weekend.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/30/house-panel-orders-release-of-ovp-chief-of-staff-zuleika-lopez-1825">House panel orders release of OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez</a></div><p>Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP chief, in a statement said that the police force is &quot;committed to its mandate to enforce the law without fear or favor.&quot; </p><p>He said the filing of cases against any individual regardless of their status or political affiliation is a reflection of its duty to the Constitution and the public. </p><div><strong>&#x27;WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY IF WE DO NOT FILE?&#x27;<br/></strong></div><p>&quot;If we do not file cases against those accused, what will people say? Takot ang pulis, pangmahirap lang ang pangil ng batas (The police are afraid and the law only has teeth against the poor). We cannot allow such perceptions to take root,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Our duty is to apply the law to everyone, regardless of their standing, because justice is not selective,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Our laws must be observed, obeyed, and upheld. This is our sworn duty as law enforcers. It is not about politics, but about ensuring accountability under the legal framework we all agreed to as a democratic society.&quot;</p><p>The Philippine National Police said on Thursday it welcomed Duterte&#x27;s plan to file complaints against police officers for alleged disobedience, robbery, and kidnapping.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/28/-it-s-anybody-s-right-pnp-welcomes-vp-sara-duterte-s-plan-to-file-complaints-vs-cops-1423">‘It’s anybody’s right’: PNP welcomes VP Sara Duterte’s plan to file complaints vs cops</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/11/28/45-officials-from-eastern-visayas-slam-sara-duterte-s-tirades-2226">45 officials from Eastern Visayas slam Sara Duterte&#x27;s tirades</a></div><div><strong>&#x27;INACTION UNDERMINES TRUST&#x27;</strong></div><p>The PNP chief also stressed that inaction or selective application of the law could undermine public trust.</p><p>He cited as an example the criticisms against the anti-drug crackdown of the previous administration, &quot;where victims were perceived to be predominantly from the poor.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/29/marcos-jr-asks-lawmakers-not-to-proceed-with-sara-duterte-impeachment-2311">Marcos Jr. asks lawmakers not to proceed with Sara Duterte impeachment</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/30/vp-sara-duterte-mum-on-marcos-jrs-recent-impeachment-remarks-1746">VP Sara Duterte mum on Marcos Jr.&#x27;s recent impeachment remarks</a></div><p>&quot;We refuse to let history repeat itself. The PNP is committed to protecting all sectors of society without bias or prejudice,&quot; he said, assuring that legal mechanisms are in place to ensure fairness.</p><p>&quot;It is this principle that guides us in our work,&quot; Marbil also said, referring to the legal maxim, dura lex, sed lex, a Latin phrase that means &#x27;the law may be harsh, but it is the law&#x27;.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Let us all remember that the rule of law is the foundation of a just and peaceful society. As the guardians of public safety, we remain committed to this principle for the benefit of the Filipino people.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/30/sara-duterte-2022-presidency-was-mine-already-2225">Sara Duterte: &#x27;2022 presidency was mine already&#x27;</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mVezTJgND_8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police on Sunday said that the cases it had filed against Vice President Sara Duterte and others were "not politically motivated" but an exercise of its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.</p>

The Philippine National Police on Sunday said that the cases it had filed against Vice President Sara Duterte and others were "not politically motivated" but an exercise of its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.

PNP: Cases vs VP Sara Duterte, others meant to show law 'applies to all'

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PNP: Cases vs VP Sara Duterte, others meant to show law 'applies to all'

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Published Dec 01, 2024 11:33 AM PHT

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