MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will tackle allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte had threatened to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when it resumes hearing the impeachment complaints against her on Wednesday.
The hearing by the justice committee is expected to be the last before it determines whether there is probable cause to impeach Duterte
One of the two complaints alleged that Duterte committed culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayed public trust and committed high crimes "in contracting to murder or assassinate" Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Leyte 1st District Rep. and former speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The complaint cited a Nov. 23, 2024 briefing with the media wherein she said, "[...] may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez I spoke to somene. I told him that if I am murdered, he should kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez)." BBM is Bongbong Marcos.
Duterte has denied making an assassination threat against Marcos.
The other complaint alleged that she "committed acts that constitute culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, by publicly admitting the contracting of an assassin."
Duterte said the complaints failed to show "any shred of proof" that a contract to kill ever existed. "Instead, complainants rely on exaggerated conclusions dressed up as fact," it read.
