In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed a recent alarming statement made by Vice President Sara Duterte, who claimed that she had hired an assassin with the intent to kill him, alongside his wife and the House Speaker, should she meet her demise. This declaration was classified by the president as part of a criminal conspiracy and he has pledged to confront the situation head-on, suggesting that a serious confrontation between the two leaders is on the horizon.
Duterte’s comments took place during an online briefing on Saturday, where she asserted that the threat she made was not to be taken lightly, revealing it stemmed from her concerns regarding her own safety amidst an unspecified threat against her. Following her provocative remarks, the national police and military promptly increased security measures for the president, while the Department of Justice announced plans to call the vice president in for questioning. The National Security Council indicated that it views the threat with utmost seriousness as a concern for national security.
In an attempt to mitigate the fallout from her statements, the vice president later claimed that her comments were not a direct threat aimed at the president but rather a reflection of her anxiety regarding her own security. “Why would I kill him if not for revenge from the grave? There is no reason for me to kill him. What’s the benefit for me?” Duterte articulated to the press.
President Marcos underscored his position in a televised address where he asserted, “That criminal plot should not be allowed to pass. I’ll fight it.” He also emphasized the necessity of upholding the rule of law in a democratic society. Both Marcos and Duterte were elected together, running on a platform of national unity during the May 2022 elections, yet their relationship has deteriorated due to underlying disagreements related to various issues, notably the handling of China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres stated during a news briefing on Monday that they would formally summon Duterte as part of the investigation. He labeled her as the “self-confessed mastermind” of an alleged “premeditated plot” to assassinate the president. The government is preparing to mobilize its resources and law enforcement agencies to track down the alleged assassin and ascertain the full scope of criminal accountability, according to Andres.
Maintaining order through adherence to the rule of law remains crucial, and Andres reiterated that this matter would be met with the full force of legal authority. Under Philippine law, public remarks of this nature could be classified as a crime, particularly threats against individuals or their families, which carry penalties of imprisonment and fines.
The Constitution of the Philippines stipulates that in the event of the president’s death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation, the vice president is required to assume the presidency for the remainder of the term. Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, finds herself amidst a politically charged environment, criticizing Marcos and his administration, alleging corruption and incompetence, and claiming political bias against the Duterte family and its allies.
Recently, Duterte’s frustration boiled over when her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, was detained by House members affiliated with Marcos, accused of obstructing an inquiry into potential budget misappropriations tied to her vice presidency and prior role as education secretary. This led to heightened tensions with Duterte perceiving the moves as politically motivated. In a dramatic online briefing, the vice president unleashed a diatribe against the president and his close associates, calling them liars and incompetents.
When prompted about her safety concerns, Duterte indicated that she believed there to be an unspecified plan to eliminate her. She recounted, “Don’t worry about my security because I’ve talked with somebody. I said ‘if I’m killed, you’ll kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke.’” She reiterated her orders, implying an ongoing malevolent plot that cast a long shadow over the political landscape in the Philippines.