Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte held a press conference at a hospital in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on November 26, 2024. – AFP file

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte did not show up for questioning on Wednesday regarding an alleged threat to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Instead, she sent a letter denying the accusation that she made a "grave threat" against his life. Duterte, who was once a key ally of Marcos but had a falling out earlier this year, was summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to clarify comments made during a recent press conference. In that conference, she claimed to have hired a hitman to kill Marcos, his wife, and the lower house speaker if she were to be killed herself.

Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has not provided any specific details about threats to her life. Meanwhile, Marcos has characterized her remarks as "reckless and troubling." NBI Director Jaime Santiago read a letter from Duterte's lawyers to the media, stating that she "vehemently denies" making any threat that could be classified as a "grave threat" under the law or a violation of the country's anti-terrorism act.

This investigation coincides with impeachment complaints filed against Duterte in the lower house, accusing her of graft, incompetence, and accumulating ill-gotten wealth during her tenure, all of which she has denied. In their letter to the NBI, her lawyers noted that the content and context of the November 23 press conference were publicly available and expressed confidence that the bureau was investigating threats to their client's life with equal diligence. Santiago assured Duterte of a fair inquiry and stated that her appearance for questioning would have provided an opportunity to elaborate on the threats against her.

"It would have been easier had (the vice president) appeared before us," Santiago said. He added that it was up to the vice president to decide whether to face investigators before they conclude their probe next month.

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