DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Activists and progressive groups here are crying double standard in the justice system after Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail, contrasting her treatment with their own as publicly labeled “wanted persons.”
Duterte posted P360,000 bail Saturday, Sept. 5, a day after a Quezon City court issued a warrant over three counts of grave threats. She later said she did not trust the court, police or even her security personnel.
For activists who were previously tagged as ‘active wanted persons’ in a now-deleted Philippine National Police-Cateel post, the development highlights what they described as the unequal exercise of state power.
‘Undangon ang drama’
Gabriela Youth Davao Chairperson Allyssa Ancheta said Duterte has no basis to portray herself as a victim of state persecution, saying activists have faced state harassment despite committing no crime.
“Baga’g nawong ug walay katungod nga maghilak-hilak ug makabati og kahadlok si Sara Duterte sa iyang pagkaaresto,” Ancheta told Davao Today, speaking in Cebuano.
(What nerve—Sara Duterte has no right to cry and act afraid over her arrest.)
Ancheta said the fear Duterte claims to experience is far less than what activists and ordinary people allegedly face from state forces.
“Gani, kulang pa kini kung atong tan-awon kung unsa kadako sa iyang mga sala…” added Ancheta.
(In fact, this is still not enough when we consider the gravity of her offenses.)
She cited allegations involving Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds, as well as human rights violations associated with the Duterte family, saying the proceedings demonstrate what she described as a selective and self-serving justice system.
A glaring contrast
For Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao Region Chairperson Cobbie Jan Canda, Duterte’s case lays bare a familiar double standard: activists on one side, members of powerful political families on the other.
This who push for education, decent wages and social change, he said, are instantly vilified, red-tagged and hauled to court—targets of state attacks from the start. Those born into powerful families, meanwhile, can go through legal proceedings with the money to walk free on bail.
The P360,000 bail, he stressed, should not be mistaken for accountability. He pointed to allegations surrounding Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds and other abuses of power.
Canda also criticized the political conflict between the Marcos and Duterte camps, saying ordinary Filipinos bear the consequences while the two ruling families fight for their interests.
He called for all corrupt government officials to be held accountable, including Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“This begins with ensuring that Sara Duterte is convicted, and that Marcos Jr. be held liable, may it be through an impeachment as well or whatever other means there are.“
‘No special treatment’
Anakbayan Southern Mindanao spokesperson Fauzhea Guiani said Duterte should receive no special treatment because of her position.
“Wala dapat special treatment para kay Sara Duterte!”
(There should be no special treatment for Sara Duterte!)
Guiani said activists and ordinary people have been branded as wanted despite having no cases or criminal liability, and argued that Duterte should likewise face the consequences of any warrant issues against her.
The group also called for Duterte to continue facing her impeachment proceedings and be held accountable before the Senate impeachment court.
‘Due process’ for the powerful
Rauf Sissay, secretariat member of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Mindanao, said Duterte is fortunate to have been allowed to undergo due process.
“The hand of justice is now catching up with VP Sara Duterte, and she is fortunate that she has been given the opportunity to undergo due process,” Sissay said.
For the activists, Duterte’s arrest warrant and bail proceedings underscore the need for genuine accountability that also applies to those in power, rather than selective justice based on political position. (davaotoday.com)
