Philippines Vice President Accused of Plot to Assassinate President.
Manila: The Philippines’ Department of Justice has accused Vice President Sara Duterte of masterminding a plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte was issued a subpoena on Monday, giving her five days to respond to the allegations.
The accusations stem from an explosive press conference over the weekend, where Duterte admitted to ordering the president’s assassination if a rumored plot to kill her were successful.
“I said, if I die, don’t stop until you have killed them,” she claimed, referring to Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and presidential cousin Martin Romualdez.
President Marcos described the statements as “disturbing” and vowed to fight back, while the Justice Department announced that the vice president is not immune from prosecution. A manhunt has reportedly been launched to find the alleged assassin hired by Duterte.
The once-powerful Marcos-Duterte alliance, which secured a landslide victory in the 2022 elections, has disintegrated ahead of next year’s midterm polls. Both sides have traded accusations of drug addiction, with Duterte previously resigning from her cabinet post amid growing animosity.
This political drama unfolds as Duterte faces potential impeachment hearings and investigations into her finances.
Meanwhile, both Duterte and Romualdez are expected to vie for the presidency in 2028, further fueling tensions within the administration.
With the alliance shattered and legal battles looming, this saga marks a significant shift in the Philippine political landscape.
