25-11-2024 (MANILA) The Philippine government has launched a formal investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte following her shocking claims of orchestrating a potential assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres announced during a Palace briefing that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will issue a subpoena requiring Duterte to explain her alarming statements, made during a recent Zoom call amidst escalating political tensions.
“The government is taking decisive action to safeguard our duly-elected president,” Andres declared. “A self-confessed assassination plot against the nation’s highest officials demands thorough investigation and appropriate legal response.”
The controversy erupted after Duterte’s early morning virtual announcement, which came in response to the House panel’s decision to transfer her chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, to a Mandaluyong correctional facility. Lopez, currently under medical care at Veterans Memorial Medical Center, was cited for contempt during an ongoing investigation into alleged fund misuse.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that while immediate arrest was not pursued due to Duterte’s position, she must appear before the bureau within five days. “We are extending due process considerations given her role as Vice President, but this matter requires her full cooperation,” Santiago stated.
The Justice Department indicated that Duterte could face serious legal consequences, including potential charges of grave threats and sedition. Officials dismissed her subsequent retraction, with Andres emphasising that threats from a sitting vice president must be treated with utmost gravity.
President Marcos responded to the situation through a recorded statement, asserting that “the law must prevail regardless of circumstances or individuals involved.” The investigation will also seek to identify any other persons potentially involved in the alleged plot.
The case has drawn parallels to a 2020 incident where the NBI arrested a teacher for making online threats against former President Rodrigo Duterte, the current Vice President’s father. However, officials stressed that the current situation’s severity stems from its source being a high-ranking government official.
This development marks a significant deterioration in the relationship between the country’s top two executives, further complicated by ongoing investigations into confidential fund expenditures under Duterte’s oversight of the education department.
Legal experts suggest the Vice President could face multiple consequences, including potential disbarment, though officials emphasise that the assassination threats overshadow other procedural concerns. The Department of Justice has pledged to conduct a comprehensive investigation, promising to “apply the full strength and force of the law” in this unprecedented case.
