Philippine authorities delivered a subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte’s office on Tuesday, inviting her to provide answers to investigators following her alarming public statement. Duterte had threatened to orchestrate the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the Speaker of the House, should she be targeted in an undisclosed plot.

In response to her remarks, President Marcos characterized the threats as a criminal endeavor. He emphasized his commitment to uphold the rule of law and hinted at an impending confrontation between the nation’s two highest officials. This has raised significant concerns within the national police and military, leading them to enhance President Marcos’s security measures. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano echoed these sentiments, labeling the situation as a pressing national security issue.

Sara Duterte, a 46-year-old lawyer, insisted that her comments were not intended as a genuine threat but were rather a reflection of her fears regarding her personal safety, given the unspecified risks to her life. She accused the Marcos administration of fabricating allegations against her as part of a broader campaign to target dissenters.

The subpoena mandates her appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday, aiming to clarify the inquiry concerning alleged severe threats. While Duterte has expressed her willingness to cooperate with the investigation, she has also called on the Marcos administration to address her own inquiries, which include claims of irregularities within the government.

According to Philippine law, public statements of this nature may qualify as criminal threats, which could result in imprisonment and penalties. It is noteworthy that Marcos and Duterte ran together as a tandem in the 2022 elections, securing decisive victories while advocating for national unity. In the Philippines, however, the presidency and vice presidency are elected independently.

Despite their initial collaboration, tensions rapidly escalated between the two leaders over significant issues, particularly regarding their differing views on managing China’s aggressive territorial assertions in the disputed South China Sea. In June, Sara Duterte stepped down from her role as education secretary and as head of the anti-insurgency group, subsequently emerging as one of the president’s staunchest critics, targeting him, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The House of Representatives has initiated inquiries into the alleged misuse of confidential government funds linked to Duterte, both during her tenure as vice president and when she was the Secretary of Education.