Philippines' VP Subpoenaed Over Death Threats to President

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Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation subpoenas Vice President Sara Duterte to clarify her statements about assassination threats to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials.

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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has served a subpoena to Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte following her controversial statement about ordering someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. if an alleged plot against her were successful.  

The subpoena, delivered to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong City at noon on Tuesday, requests Duterte’s presence at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City on Friday, November 29, 2024. She is expected to provide an explanation regarding her remarks, which also mentioned First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.  

فيديو ذات صلة

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Investigation Underway

The subpoena cites possible violations of the Revised Penal Code on grave threats, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ), through the NBI, is leading the investigation.  

“This is a matter of national security,” Gutierrez stated, emphasizing the importance of Duterte clarifying her remarks.  

The Vice President’s Controversial Statement  

The issue began on Saturday when Duterte, during a press conference, remarked that she had directed someone to retaliate against the President, the First Lady, and the House Speaker if she were killed.  

“I have talked to a person. I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM [Marcos], [first lady] Liza Araneta and [speaker] Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke,” Duterte said in the briefing. “I said, do not stop until you kill them, and then he said yes.”

Duterte’s Response to the Subpoena

At a separate event, Duterte stated she had not yet read the subpoena but assured the public she would cooperate with the NBI. “I will gladly answer their questions when the subpoena is released,” she said. She also hinted at raising her own questions during the inquiry.  

A Political Rift Deepens

The statement marks another dramatic escalation in the rift between two of the Philippines' most influential political families. Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had allied with Marcos during their 2022 electoral victory but stepped down from her cabinet as Department of Education’s secretary in June while still remaining the Vice President, but signaling a significant political fallout.  

Tensions between the two camps have been brewing for months. In October, Duterte publicly accused Marcos of being incompetent and shared a remark about imagining cutting the president’s head off.

Budget Cuts and Feud with Speaker

Fueling the feud further, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Marcos, slashed the budget for the Office of the Vice President by nearly two-thirds. 

The Role of the Vice President in the Philippines  

The Philippine vice presidency has no direct responsibilities since the president and vice president are elected separately. Traditionally, vice presidents engage in social development programs or are appointed to cabinet roles. In 2022, Duterte was appointed by Marcos as the Secretary of the Department of Education, a position she held until stepping down in June 2024.

During her tenure as secretary, Duterte faced multiple controversies, including scrutiny over the allocation of P164 million controversial funds in her 2023 budget.

This developing story has drawn widespread attention, with many waiting to see how the Vice President will address the allegations and clarify her controversial statements.

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