Karapatan deputy secretary general Sol Taule called out the privileges that she said Vice President Sara Duterte received when she posted bail for her criminal case for grave threats on a Saturday, noting that this was in contrast to what Filipinos ordinarily experience.
Duterte was charged with grave threats over her statement that she told somebody to kill the President, the First Lady, and the former Speaker if she were killed. Her arrest warrant was issued Friday and she posted bail on Saturday.
In a Facebook post, Taule noted that Duterte was able to process her bail at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court seamlessly on a weekend.
“I would say it is not the same for ordinary Filipinos arrested, especially those asserting their rights,” Taule said.
She said that during the September 21 protest, those arrested did not experience any shortcuts or special treatment.
Those arrested were even detained for a week because offices during weekends were closed, she said.
“Of course, they have to endure the queues, unreasonable delays and follow up, red tape and lack of resources for the families. But if you are Sara Duterte, you enjoy all the privileges, di ba?” she said.
Meanwhile, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan condemned the Quezon City RTC’s issuance of the arrest warrant against Duterte, calling it an attempt to “decimate the political opposition.”
PDP Laban accused the Marcos administration of using government offices headed by its appointees to harass critics.
It also called on Filipinos to stand firm and support the leaders of their choice.
“During these very dark times in our country’s history, when might is beginning to prevail over right, PDP Laban urges the people to maintain their support for the leaders of their choice, to resist with all their might the imposition of those whom the people have repudiated, and to stand firm against the forces of evil,” it said.