Rep. Leila De Lima/ Photo courtesy of PNA
A lawmaker on Wednesday pointed to Vice President Sara Duterte’s controversial statement about targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family as a key basis for her possible impeachment.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the remark raised serious concerns about Duterte’s fitness for office, citing what she described as a tendency toward violent rhetoric.
She recalled that in November 2024, Duterte made statements during an online briefing indicating that she had arranged for the killing of Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez if harm came to her.
De Lima said this incident reflected poor judgment on the part of the vice president and underscored the gravity of the allegations being examined by the House committee on justice.
She added that the remarks went beyond political statements, saying they illustrated a broader pattern that should be carefully considered in the impeachment proceedings.
The lawmaker also linked Duterte’s statements to a history of violence associated with her family, noting the record of the previous administration under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
De Lima said the episode revealed a side of the vice president that raised questions about her temperament and capacity to lead responsibly.
The congresswoman added the vice president is as if legitimizing and influencing the public to incur hostility towards the leaders of the administration.
The impeachment complaints against Duterte include allegations of misuse of Php 612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and actions that could undermine the stability of the government.