MANILA, Philippines — Senator-Judge Migz Zubiri wants a law that would penalize threats against the President, Vice President, and other constitutional successors to the presidency.
On Day 3 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Zubiri said lawmakers may need to address what he described as a "gap" in existing legislation.
The House prosecution transmitted to the Senate Impeachment Court four impeachment articles against Duterte.
Article IV deals with Duterte's alleged threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
Zubiri asked prosecution witness National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung whether Philippine law contains a specific provision covering threats against the country's highest officials.
"In our country, is there a specific law that deals with threats against the President, the Vice President, and their successors? Or are such cases simply covered by the general law on grave threats, which applies to everyone?" Zubiri asked in English and Filipino.
Calilung said that such cases are currently prosecuted under the general provision on grave threats.
Calilung added that the NBI is authorized under its charter to investigate threats against the President, Vice President, Senate president, and the Supreme Court chief justice.
Citing Section 871 of the US Code, which criminalizes threats against the US president, vice president, and their successors, Zubiri suggested that Congress should also consider crafting a similar law in the Philippines.
"This is just food for thought because we are not only senator-judges, we are also legislators," Zubiri said.
"Perhaps it is time for us to craft a law that specifically penalizes threats against the President, the Vice President, and the constitutional successors to the presidency, such as the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court," he said.
