MANILA — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte made headlines recently when she chose to skip questioning related to her alleged threat to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Instead of appearing before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on December 11, Duterte sent a letter denying any intention to threaten the president's life.
The situation escalated after Duterte, who is closely tied to Marcos but has fallen out with him this year, was subpoenaed to explain remarks made during a press conference on November 23. During this conference, she claimed to have hired a hitman to eliminate not only Marcos but also his wife and the speaker of the House of Representatives, should she find herself under threat. This shocking assertion drew sharp criticism from the president, who described her words as "reckless and troubling." While Duterte has not substantiated claims of any threats against her, the political climate surrounding these events has heightened tensions between the two powerful figures.
Further complicate matters, Duterte is currently facing impeachment complaints from various groups within the lower house, which allege corruption, incompetence, and accusations of accumulating ill-gotten wealth during her tenure. Duterte has adamantly denied these accusations, stating her belief in the mounted efforts against her are politically motivated.
Speaking at her December 10 press briefing, Duterte expressed skepticism about the impartiality of the investigation, claiming she had observed biased comments from both President Marcos and officials from the justice department. "We believe cases will be filed," she warned, detailing her worst fears about the political fallout. "The worst-case scenario we see is removal from office, impeachment, and then piled-up cases which the lawyers already told me to expect as well." This sentiment indicates her awareness of the pressures she faces, both politically and legally.
This clash of wills marks a stark change from just two years ago when the alliances between the Duterte and Marcos families seemed unbreakable after sweeping the presidential elections with joint endorsements.
Pushed by familial political legacy and riding high on the public favor stemming from the end of her father's presidency, Duterte initially led the polls as the nation’s preferred candidate for the highest office. While she chose to ally with Marcos rather than run against him, recent developments have shown their relationship, now characterized by animosity and mistrust.
Following her absence from the NBI, NBI Director Jaime Santiago addressed the press, reading from Duterte's lawyers’ letter. He reiterated her strong denial of any threats she supposedly made, stressing none could be categorized as "grave threats" under Philippine law or infringe upon the country’s anti-terrorism measures. Santiago assured the public of Duterte’s opportunity to clarify her position during questioning, remarking, "It would have been easier had (the vice president) appeared before us." He added, "I will leave it to her to see if she decides to give us information before we complete our investigation next month."
This response from the NBI indicates the agency's desire for transparency and cooperation, but it raises questions about trust and political maneuvering within one of the Philippines' highest offices.
Compounding Duterte's issues, she has stated her reluctance to provide details about threats against her. "Right now seeing they are picking out words I said and making a case out of it saying it was a threat, they should start to ask where is this coming from," she expressed, underlining her estrangement from authorities. Adding to the drama, she concluded her remarks with, "I am at peace at whatever happens to me," indicating her readiness to face the fallout from this tumultuous affair.
The roiling tensions between Duterte and Marcos ripple through the political fabric of the Philippines, overshadowing not only their personal relationships but also stirring discussions about governance and accountability. Many observers are left speculating about the ultimate outcomes for both leaders.