House leaders: Probe VP Duterte’s ‘kill order’ vs President Marcos

EARLY MORNING MELTDOWN. In this videograb, Vice President Sara Duterte again lets it all out against the first couple and their allies in the House of Representatives at an online press conference she called on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the House of Representatives on Sunday called for a probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark that she tasked someone to “kill” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife should she be assassinated.

According to House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., the gravity of Duterte’s statements cannot be overstated, emphasizing that the Vice President should be safeguarding the Constitution.

“A kill order on the President is not only a heinous crime but also a betrayal of the highest order—one that shakes the very foundation of our democratic institutions,” he added.

READ: Sara Duterte’s kill remark vs Marcos is ‘active threat’ – Palace

This prompted House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong to call for an “exhaustive and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the assassination plot against the President.”

“The people deserve to know the full extent of this plot, including any potential abuse of power or betrayal of public trust. The integrity of our democracy demands nothing less,” Dalipe’s statement reads.

He also pointed out that the vice president’s role as a constitutional successor makes the situation extraordinarily sensitive.

“It is essential that we send a clear message that no one, regardless of position, is above the law,” he added.

Meanwhile, Adiong pointed out that Duterte’s alleged kill order reflects a “dangerous normalization of extrajudicial means to address personal or political grievances.”

“Public officials are expected to uphold justice, fairness, and the Constitution, not to insinuate access to violence as a means of retribution,” he added.

This was also reiterated by Deputy Speaker David Suarez, who cautioned about the broader implications of such an alleged plot by the Vice President.

“Conspiring with an assassin to target the President is a serious crime,” he pointed out.

The House leaders also said the lower chamber of Congress is ready to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and ensure full transparency in addressing the alleged assassination plot against Marcos.

“Should evidence point to the Vice President’s culpability, the leader assured the public that the House would fulfill its constitutional mandate to uphold accountability and justice,” their statement reads.

READ: VP Sara told: Enough with the drama, face OVP fund probe

Duterte trying ‘to evade accountability’ over OVP fund misuse

For Dalipe, House committee on good government and public accountability Chair Joel Chua and House quad panel chair Robert Ace Barbers, Duterte’s statements are “desperate lies” to “evade accountability over her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.”

“This isn’t about elections, fundraising, or petty politics. It’s about where the millions if not billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money went. Instead of explaining, the Vice President resorts to profanity and baseless accusations. These tantrums won’t hide the truth,” Dalipe said.

Chua believed Duterte’s accusations aimed to “intimidate” lawmakers.

“The Vice President’s foul language cannot cover up her foul record. Her decision to hurl insults instead of providing answers reeks of desperation. Profanity won’t erase the stench of corruption,” he said.

“Let me be clear: No one in the House apologized to her, nor do we need to. If she truly has evidence, let her bring it forward. Otherwise, it’s just another pathetic attempt to discredit a legitimate investigation,” he added.

Barbers, on the other hand, refuted claims that the hearings were “politically motivated.”

“This isn’t about 2028 or her presidential ambitions. It’s about ensuring that every peso of taxpayer money is used properly. If she can’t answer simple questions about how confidential funds were spent, the public has every right to question her integrity,” he said.

For Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, if bomb jokes can land a person in jail, then Duterte’s kill order against the President should be probed for “criminal liability.”

He cited the case of a senior citizen who was offloaded from a flight and detained last August for making a bomb joke.

“The simple bomb joke was immediately acted upon. What more a threat against our President? We urge the Department of Justice to look into possible criminal liability against Vice President Duterte,” he said.

“Death threats, especially directed at the President, should never be taken lightly,” he added.