An impeachment complaint was initiated on Monday against Sara Duterte, the Vice President of the Philippines, amid a whirlwind of legal challenges. These issues stem from a death threat she allegedly issued against the president, accusations regarding the misuse of government funds in her office, and other criminal allegations.

The impeachment proceedings were brought forth by a coalition of notable adversaries and activists within the House of Representatives. They accuse Duterte of breaching the nation’s Constitution, engaging in significant corrupt practices, and committing other serious offenses. These allegations notably include the remarks she made about a violent act against the president, his spouse, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Duterte’s legal predicament comes at a time when her political rivalry with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his supporters has intensified. During an online news conference on November 23, she controversially claimed that she had hired an assassin to eliminate Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Martin Romualdez, should anything happen to her. She insisted that this declaration was not meant as a jest.

In response to the controversy, Duterte clarified her position by asserting that her comments were not intended as direct threats. Instead, she emphasized that her statements were a reflection of her concerns regarding her safety.