The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formally filed a complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte over her controversial remarks suggesting she had arranged for someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event of her assassination.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the agency has recommended charging the Vice President with inciting to sedition and grave threats, officially submitting the case to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further review.
“We have finally recommended the filing of inciting to sedition and grave threat charges against the Vice President,” Santiago announced in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
Santiago emphasized that the DOJ will assess the evidence before deciding whether to proceed with a preliminary investigation.
“The DOJ will weigh the evidence and determine if there is sufficient basis to move forward with an investigation,” he added.
Asked for a comment, Duterte responded, “As expected.” Her office forwarded this brief statement to the media without elaboration.
Despite the growing controversy, the Vice President has repeatedly denied making an assassination threat, claiming her words were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
NBI insists on neutrality
Amid speculation of political motivations, Santiago asserted that the NBI acted independently, free from external pressure or influence.
“No one ordered or dictated what we should do in this case,” Santiago stated. “Our findings were based solely on our evaluation of the evidence.”
DOJ’s next steps
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon explained that the DOJ-National Prosecution Service (NPS) must determine if the complaint is supported by complete evidence before proceeding.
“If the evidence is deemed complete, only then can the case be referred for preliminary investigation,” he said.
Until this assessment is finalized, the DOJ will refrain from making further statements to avoid influencing the case’s outcome.
What Duterte previously said
The controversy stems from an online press briefing in 2024, where Duterte allegedly made the explosive claim that she had instructed someone to assassinate Marcos, Araneta, and Romualdez if she were killed.
“I’ve already spoken to someone, so don’t worry about my security,” Duterte was quoted as saying.
(Huwag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao.)
“I told that person, ‘If I die, make sure to kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.’”She allegedly added, “I’ve already given instructions. If I die, don’t stop until you kill them all. And the person agreed.”
(Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘pag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez.)
Duterte’s defense
After the remarks caused an uproar, Duterte later clarified her statement, claiming it was not a threat but rather an illustration of the security risks she faces.
“My remarks were maliciously taken out of logical context,” she said.
While Duterte did not personally appear before the NBI, she submitted a letter denying the allegations.
The assassination claim is one of the seven Articles of Impeachment filed against Duterte, which accuses her of conspiring to harm the President, the First Lady, and the House Speaker.
During a press conference last week, the Vice President reiterated her denial, stating, “I did not make an assassination threat against the President. They are the ones saying that. They are the ones talking about an assassination, an assassin, and a gunman. I never said that.”
What happens next?
With the case now in the hands of the DOJ, all eyes are on how the preliminary investigation will unfold. If the DOJ finds sufficient evidence, Duterte could face formal charges, adding further strain to an already heated political climate.
The Vice President remains defiant, standing by her claim that her words were misinterpreted and politicized.