Ipauubaya na ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa Department of Justice (DOJ) ang posibleng pananagutan ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nang ipanukala nito na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.

"Well, it’s up for the Department of Justice to analyze all of these things," sinabi ni DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.

Para kay Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., hindi fraud o panloloko ang people’s initiative (PI).

"Well, if you go to the Constitution, there’s nothing illegal about the People’s Initiative. There are three ways of amending the Constitution, and People’s Initiative is one," ayon kay Acorda.

Hangga't walang pamimilit o panunuhol o kahit ano pa man na katumbas ng paglabag sa batas o layunin sa Konstitusyon, hindi aniya maaaring manghimasok ang PNP.

"So hangga’t wala pang evident na culpable offense committed, the PNP cannot come in as part of upholding the rule of law and, of course, protecting the Constitution," paliwanag ni Acorda.

Ayon kay Acorda, maging ang alegasyon ng panunuhol kapalit ng pirma para sa people's initiative ay hindi masasabing paglabag sa Saligang Batas hangga't walang ebidensya.

"That can be interpreted as a violation. But, of course, we need evidence; we need sworn statements and other things to support such allegations," dagdag niya.

Sinabi ni Acorda na hindi pwedeng manghimasok ang PNP dahil "It’s just a, I mean, exercise of the rights of the people under the Constitution."