Malacañang on Wednesday defended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp accused the agency of political bias in its investigation into allegations involving her.

Duterte’s counsel, Paul Lawrence Lim, questioned NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s impartiality and warned against using the agency for partisan purposes. He stressed that the NBI should remain professional and apolitical.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said attacking government officials’ character does not address the allegations against Duterte.

“Ang pagtuligsa sa katauhan ng isang tao, hindi po ito tugon sa mga ibinabatong akusasyon or diumano anomalyang ginawa ng Bise Presidente (Slandering a person’s character is not a response to the accusations or alleged anomalies involving the Vice President),” Castro said.

Castro said Duterte should instead present evidence to refute the allegations against her.

“Ang dapat na tugon dito ay pasinungalingan niya sa pamamagitan ng ebidensya ‘yung mga naituturo sa kaniyang diumanong krimen or corruption na ibinabato sa kaniya (The proper response is to refute the allegations with evidence, particularly those involving alleged crimes or corruption attributed to her),” she said.

Castro stressed that no one should be judged without evidence or a court ruling.

“Hindi po tayo naghuhusga dito hangga’t walang ebidensya or hindi nagkakaroon ng anumang desisyon ang korte (We do not judge anyone unless there is evidence or a court has issued a ruling),” she said.

Castro also defended the NBI and its director, saying government officials are expected to fulfill their duties as public servants.

Meanwhile, the NBI lodged a supplemental filing with the Department of Justice over anomalies in Davao City flood control projects.

The NBI referral named private individuals and public officials allegedly involved in four contracts. They are Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Engineering Office (DEO) officials Kristine Apao, Aljun Barcoma, Andre Villacorte, Kim Anthony Duque, Roberto Mamaril, Emelio Sucaldito Jr., Ferdinand Dallo and Richard Ragasa.

Also named was Genesis 88 Construction Inc. owner Glenn Escandor, appointed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte as presidential assistant for sports, whose other company allegedly contributed nearly PHP20 million to Vice President’s election campaign. Other officials of Escandor’s firms were also named. (with reports from Benjamin Pulta) (PNA)