Philippines’ Marcos expresses alarm after V-P Sara Duterte’s assassination threat

MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Nov 25 expressed alarm over “troubling” threats against him and vowed to uphold the law after Vice-President Sara Duterte spoke about having the leader assassinated if she gets killed.

“If it’s that easy to plan the assassination of a president, how much more for ordinary citizens?” Mr Marcos said in a recorded video, without naming Ms Duterte.

“Such criminal attempts should not be ignored,” the president said, adding that he will resist such moves.

“As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law,” he said.

The office of the vice-president didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ms Duterte, daughter of former leader Rodrigo Duterte, said in a briefing on Nov 23 that she had made arrangements for Mr Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta Marcos, and his cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez to be murdered if she’s killed.

The vice-president later on said her remarks were taken out of context, as she was also concerned about her own security.

The development marks a turning point in the ongoing feud between the Philippines’ most powerful politicians who teamed up in the 2022 election.

Their alliance, which has been rocked by policy differences, collapsed earlier this year when the vice-president resigned from Mr Marcos’ Cabinet.

Mr Marcos’ allies in Congress have been scrutinising Ms Duterte over her office’s alleged misuse of funds, which she denies.

The vice-president has also said lawmakers were trying to make a case for her impeachment.

“It would not have led to this kind of drama if only the legitimate questions in the Senate and House of Representatives would have been answered,” Mr Marcos said.

“I wish that these events will end in a peaceful way that will bring us to the truth,” the president added. BLOOMBERG