Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte appeared before a legislative inquiry at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Philippines, to address concerns about her office's use of public funds. The event was captured in a photo by Reuters.

On Monday, the Philippine justice department accused Vice President Sara Duterte of being the "mastermind" behind a plot to assassinate the country's president, giving her five days to respond to a subpoena. Duterte is required to explain her actions following a contentious weekend press conference where she admitted to instructing the killing of President Ferdinand Marcos if an alleged plot to assassinate her succeeded.

"The government is taking action to safeguard our duly elected president," said Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres in a Monday press briefing. "The premeditated plot to assassinate the president, as declared by the self-confessed mastermind, will now face legal repercussions."

Earlier, in his first public remarks on the issue, Marcos vowed to "fight back" against what he called a "disturbing" threat. The once-strong alliance between Marcos and Duterte, which led to their victory in the 2022 elections, has dramatically unraveled ahead of next year's mid-term elections, with both sides exchanging accusations of drug addiction.

Duterte, who may face impeachment hearings, told reporters on Saturday that she was the target of an assassination plot and had instructed that Marcos be killed if the plot against her succeeded. During a profanity-laden press conference, Duterte also named First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and presidential cousin Martin Romualdez as potential targets.

"I said, if I die, don't stop until you have killed them," she claimed to have told a member of her security team regarding the trio. Shortly after, the presidential palace declared the comments an "active threat."

"Such a criminal attempt must not go unchallenged," Marcos stated on Monday. "As a democratic country, we must uphold the law." Justice Undersecretary Andres emphasized that Duterte is not immune to legal action and can be the subject of criminal or administrative cases, with the subpoena currently in the process of being served. He also revealed that a manhunt is underway for the alleged "assassin" hired by Duterte.

Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was Marcos' running mate in the 2022 presidential election, which they won decisively. She remains his constitutional successor should he be unable to complete his six-year term. However, she is currently under investigation in the House of Representatives, led by Romualdez, and both are expected to run for president in 2028.

Duterte resigned from her cabinet position as education secretary in June as tensions between the two families escalated. Months prior, her father had accused Marcos of being a "drug addict," with the president subsequently claiming that his predecessor's health was deteriorating due to long-term use of the potent opioid fentanyl. Neither party has provided evidence to support their claims.

In October, Duterte expressed feeling "used" after partnering with Marcos for the 2022 election.

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