The Department of Justice (DoJ) has summoned Vice President Sara Duterte to a preliminary investigation on 9 and 16 May at 2 p.m. in connection with grave threats and inciting to sedition charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The charges stem from a live stream where Duterte allegedly said she had instructed someone to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if a supposed plot against her succeeded.
The NBI’s investigation concluded that her remarks amounted to grave threats and incitement to sedition. This investigation began after Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives and detained for allegedly interfering with a probe into the Vice President’s confidential funds and providing evasive responses.
The House later ordered Lopez’s release after she agreed to attend future hearings. In response to the alleged threat, the Presidential Security Group increased security for President Marcos, the First Lady, and other senior officials.
Duterte has denied making the threat, insisting her comments were taken out of context and calling the NBI complaint politically motivated.