Manila,November 25 (AseanAll)  — The government is all out against Vice President Sara Duterte after she threatened to kill the President, the First Lady and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the Philippines.

“I hope people understand that, there is nothing personal about this, but things happened, because we have to strengthen our institutions and we will do what is necessary under the Constitution and in accordance with the Constitution,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said on November 25, 2024.

He said the case against Vice President is an opportunity to show that “no one is above the law and that accountability can be exacted from anybody, so that people will now give respect to the law.”

“If we are not able to apply the law to other people who have influence and power, what kind of government can we provide? So that is what’s at stake here,” Andres told the briefing.

“And that should be the view of every Filipino. A threat to the President, is a threat to every Filipino because he is the one expected to deliver the service. And if he is impeded because of a death threat, then it is a disservice to our people,” he added.

Andres stood firm that the threat issued by Duterte should be taken seriously since the country’s stability depends on the President.

“We have to put our foot down on this matter because everyone is relying on the President: to execute the laws and to deliver the services to our country,” he said.

According to Andres, there is an “active threat” against the President since the pronouncement was made by a high-ranking, influential, and powerful official.

“It is not for anyone to speak in that manner to disrupt public order by making threats, especially on the life of anyone, more so the life of the Chief Executive of this country, a duly elected leader of the country,” he said.

Andres described Duterte’s statement as “very alarming” and assured the DOJ and other concerned government agencies will take the necessary action to protect the President.