Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte missed a scheduled meeting with government investigators on Friday after being accused of being the “self-confessed mastermind” behind a plot to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte was subpoenaed on Monday after a controversial press conference over the weekend. In the conference, she claimed to have instructed someone to kill the president if a supposed threat against her own life was carried out. She later clarified that her remarks had been misinterpreted.
Missed Deadline and Legal Consequences
Despite being summoned, Duterte did not appear for the meeting, with her lawyers citing “urgent office matters” as the reason for her absence. This referred to a House of Representatives hearing, which had already been canceled.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago stated that her meeting with investigators was rescheduled to December 11, emphasizing that the vice president is “not immune from prosecution.” If formal criminal charges are filed, Duterte could face potential jail time.
Political Fallout Between Duterte and Marcos
The political alliance between Duterte and Marcos, which led to their landslide victory in the 2022 elections, has dramatically broken down. Both sides have publicly traded accusations, including claims of drug addiction, as they approach next year’s midterm elections.
Duterte has alleged that the investigations into her remarks and her finances are politically motivated attempts to remove her from office. However, House officials have denied any impeachment plans, and President Marcos dismissed the idea as unnecessary.
“This is not important. It doesn’t impact the life of even one Filipino. Why waste time on it?” Marcos stated.
Duterte’s Controversial Statements
Last Saturday, Duterte held an online news conference filled with expletives, where she admitted to telling someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (a Marcos cousin) if she were assassinated. “If I die, don’t stop until you’ve killed them,” she said, adding that she was “not joking.”
By Tuesday, Duterte denied making a death threat, explaining her words were an expression of frustration with the Marcos administration’s failures.
Future Presidential Ambitions
Both Romualdez and Duterte are seen as potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election, adding further tension to the current political climate.
