Sara Duterte Denies threats, skips questioning on alleged plot against President Marcos

Instead, she sent a letter denying the claims. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had summoned her to explain comments she made during a press conference. Duterte allegedly said she had hired a hitman to target Marcos, his wife, and the speaker of the lower house if she herself were killed.

The remarks have drawn concern, with President Marcos calling them “reckless and troubling.” However, Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, denied that her words amounted to a "grave threat" under the law. She has not provided details about any threats to her life.

Duterte-Carpio and Marcos were once strong allies. Their families joined forces during the 2022 presidential election, helping Marcos secure a victory. However, their relationship has soured in recent months, leading to public disputes.

Duterte-Carpio, who had been a top choice in early opinion polls for the presidency, chose to run as vice president alongside Marcos instead of competing against him. Now, the partnership seems far from friendly.

The vice president is currently facing impeachment complaints in the lower house. She is accused of corruption, incompetence, and illegally obtaining wealth while in office. Duterte-Carpio denies all allegations and says she doesn’t expect a fair investigation. She accuses the justice ministry and President Marcos of bias.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio said, “The worst-case scenario we see is removal from office, impeachment, and then more cases being filed against me.”

NBI Director Jaime Santiago read a letter sent by Duterte-Carpio’s lawyers to the media. In it, the vice president strongly denied making any “grave threat” or violating the country’s anti-terrorism law. Santiago said the investigation would have been easier if Duterte-Carpio had appeared for questioning. He assured her of a fair inquiry and said the investigation will conclude next month.

“It would have been better if [the vice president] appeared before us,” Santiago said.

Duterte-Carpio has expressed doubts about the investigation’s fairness. She claims threats against her life have not been taken seriously. She said she does not trust authorities and is unwilling to provide them with further information.

“They are picking words I said and twisting them into a case,” she said. “They should investigate where this is all coming from.”

Despite the ongoing political challenges, Duterte-Carpio said she has made peace with whatever the outcome may be. “I am at peace with whatever happens to me,” she added.

The investigation and impeachment complaints highlight growing political tensions in the Philippines. While President Marcos has distanced himself from impeachment efforts, the fallout between two once-powerful allies marks a dramatic turn in the country’s political landscape.