Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte Faces Investigation Over Assassination Threat

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte Faces Investigation Over Assassination Threat

Manila: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines has recommended filing criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte over allegations that she threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a radio interview on Wednesday, "We have finally recommended filing charges for inciting sedition and grave threats against Sara Duterte." He added, "We have submitted this to the Department of Justice, and they will evaluate the evidence to decide whether they will conduct a preliminary investigation on the matter."

Vice President Duterte, through her media officer, told reporters that the NBI’s decision was "expected."

Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has long been embroiled in a bitter relationship with President Marcos. They achieved a landslide victory in the 2022 national elections, but their powerful families have since fallen out, accusing each other of drug abuse, though no evidence has been provided.

In November, Duterte made comments suggesting that she had ordered the killing of Marcos, his wife, and the Speaker of Parliament, should any plot to kill her succeed.

Marcos said he would take action against this "concerning" public threat. Duterte later clarified that her instruction was a "plan without flesh" and emphasized that it was conditional upon her own death first.

"Common sense should be enough for us to understand and accept that a conditional plan for revenge does not constitute an active threat," Duterte said.

Additionally, Duterte is facing a separate investigation into allegations of misusing large amounts of government funds.

The Philippine lower house recently passed an impeachment proposal against Duterte, citing her assassination threats, violations of the constitution, and corruption.

Al Jazeera correspondent Barnaby Lo noted that if prosecutors proceed with the case, any evidence gathered will be used during her impeachment trial in the Senate. The hearing date has not yet been set, but it is expected to take place in June or July.

Despite the mounting cases against her, Duterte has indicated that she is considering running for the presidency in the upcoming general election.