The statement by Vice President Sara Duterte, where she said she would exhume former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s remains and throw them into the West Philippine Sea, is a violation of the Revised Penal Code, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla.
During Saturday's Executive Session on DZRH, Remulla expressed shock upon hearing the Vice President's threatening statements, which he said show disrespect to the dead.
Remulla cited Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, stating that disrespecting the dead can be considered libelous.
"Nagulat ako sa Youtube kahapon noong napanood ko yung press conference ni VP Sara — yung sabi niya kay Imee 'pag hindi niyo ako tinigilan ay huhukayin ko yung labi ng 'yong ama at itatapon ko sa West Philippine Sea —Disecration of the dead yan, may violation sa Revised Penal Code 'yan," said Remulla.
The Justice Secretary criticized Duterte's statement, saying it was not humorous and reflected her 'unclear thinking.'
"Hindi na nakakatawa 'yun e. It does not speak of a sane and clear-thinking person. Iba na 'yon. Non compos mentis na yung pinanggagalingan noon," Remulla stressed, adding that it is fortunate Duterte did not run for president.
Duterte's statement was made on Friday during a press conference where she addressed the ongoing feud between her and the camp of President Marcos Jr. She said that she made the threat to Sen. Imee Marcos.
"Isang beses, sinabihan ko talaga si Sen. Imee. Sabi ko sa kanya, kung hindi kayo titigil, huhukayin ko ang tatay ninyo at itatapon siya sa West Philippine Sea," Vice President Duterte divulged to reporters.
Aside from this, the former Education Secretary candidly shared she even had thought of removing the head of Marcos Jr. after realizing that her relationship with the current President was already "toxic".
The Vice President criticized Marcos Jr. for being 'incompetent' as president, giving him a performance rating of 1 out of 10.