Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces intense scrutiny after the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday called her the “mastermind” of an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following her controversial statements about retaliation if a plot to kill her succeeded.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres announced at a press briefing that Duterte has been subpoenaed and given five days to respond, Agence France-Presse reported.
“The government is taking action to protect our duly elected president,” Andres said. “The premeditated plot to assassinate the president as declared by the self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences.”
In response, Duterte said she was prepared to answer the summons. “I will gladly answer the questions they want to ask, but they must answer my questions as well,” she said. “We’ll just talk there when I get the subpoena.”
Earlier Monday, Marcos condemned the threat, calling it “disturbing” and vowing to “fight back.” The remarks signal the complete breakdown of the Marcos-Duterte alliance that dominated the 2022 elections but has since unraveled amid mutual allegations of corruption, drug use, and betrayal.
The controversy erupted after Duterte, during a fiery weekend press conference, claimed she had instructed her security team to assassinate Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were assassinated. “I said, if I die, don’t stop until you have killed them,” Duterte told reporters.
The statements prompted immediate backlash, with the presidential palace treating them as an “active threat.” “That sort of criminal attempt must not go unchallenged,” Marcos said. “As a democratic country, we need to uphold the law.”
Andres emphasized that Duterte is not immune from prosecution. “The vice president is not immune from suit. She can be the subject of any criminal or administrative case,” he said. He also disclosed that authorities are searching for the alleged assassin connected to the plot.
The fallout from Duterte’s remarks has sparked investigations, public outrage, and bipartisan condemnation in Congress. Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. called Duterte’s comments a “betrayal of the highest order.”
“A kill order on the president is not only a heinous crime but also a betrayal of the highest order—one that shakes the very foundation of our democratic institutions,” Gonzales said.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong have called for a thorough investigation. “The integrity of our democracy demands nothing less,” Dalipe said.
Duterte’s explosive remarks also follow intensifying investigations into her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as education secretary. Lawmakers have flagged irregularities, including receipts signed with fictitious names such as “Mary Grace Piattos” and “Oishi.”
House committee chairs Joel Chua and Robert Ace Barbers dismissed Duterte’s claims as “desperate lies” aimed at diverting attention from corruption probes. “Instead of explaining, the vice president resorts to profanity and baseless accusations. These tantrums won’t hide the truth,” Dalipe said.
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), representing 149 city mayors, released a statement condemning Duterte’s remarks and expressing support for the Marcos administration. “The recklessness of such statements endangers the safety of our leaders and the peace and security of the Filipino people,” the LCP said.
Civil society leaders also weighed in. Akbayan Partylist First Nominee Atty. Chel Diokno called Duterte’s behavior a “gross abuse of power and protocol” that exposes her “indifference to institutional accountability.”
Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan challenged Duterte to face the House panel investigating her expenditures. “Instead of bullying Congress staff, she should answer questions about how she spent taxpayer money,” Cendaña said.
The situation has escalated into one of the most politically charged crises in recent Philippine history, with Vice President Duterte now under intense legal and public scrutiny. – with reports from Philippine News Agency and Agence France-Presse.
