Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte opted not to attend the first hearing on Wednesday regarding allegations of threats she made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing doubts about the fairness of the investigation, reports AP. Despite being subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Duterte sent her lawyer instead. The lawyer submitted a letter in which Duterte strongly denied making any threats that would qualify as “grave threats” under the law. Second impeachment complaint against Philippine VP over president threat The controversy stems from a Nov. 23 online news conference where Duterte publicly threatened Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez with death. She later clarified that her comments were an expression of concern for her own safety, alleging that she had received death threats herself. Tensions between Marcos and Duterte have escalated since their election in 2022. In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately, which can result in political rivals occupying the highest offices in the country. Duterte, 46, is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for the deaths of thousands during his war on drugs. NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that the preliminary investigation would proceed regardless of Duterte’s presence or the submission of her counter-affidavit. He added that a report would be submitted to the Department of Justice by early January. The investigation, initially scheduled for Nov. 29, was postponed at Duterte’s request. On Wednesday, Duterte expressed her skepticism about the fairness of the investigation, asserting, “Even if they say there is an investigation, from the very beginning they already decided to file cases.” She also confirmed she has no intention of leaving the country to evade the complaints and that she and her lawyers are preparing to address the impeachment cases filed against her. Duterte faces two impeachment complaints for alleged constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, mismanagement of government funds, and issuing death threats against Marcos. Additionally, the House of Representatives is probing the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to Duterte’s offices as vice president and former education secretary. She has since stepped down from the education role.

A coalition of leftist activists lodged a second impeachment complaint against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, citing alleged misuse of government funds and seeking her permanent disqualification from public office, reports AP. The complaint, supported by at least 74 activists including leaders from human rights, labour, and student organisations, was submitted to the House of Representatives, highlighting the ongoing political challenges faced by Vice President Duterte. She has yet to comment on this new complaint or the first one filed on Monday. Impeachment complaint filed against Philippine VP Duterte for threatening President Marcos Duterte, a 46-year-old lawyer, is the daughter of the controversial former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration was marked by a violent anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths and is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity. Her main political rival is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whom she publicly threatened with death during an online news conference on November 23. A criminal probe has been initiated into her threats against Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin and ally of the president. Duterte clarified that her statements were not intended as a direct threat but as expressions of concern for her safety. Philippines vice president publicly threatens President Marcos with assassination The latest impeachment complaint accuses Duterte of breaching public trust through the unlawful use and mismanagement of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) in confidential funds. The complainants allege that she and her team tried to conceal these discrepancies by submitting forged reports and obstructing congressional investigations. It claims that in December 2022, Duterte’s office spent 125 million pesos ($2 million) over 11 days during the Christmas season on dubious expenses, including renting "safe houses," paying for unidentified confidential information, and providing unclear rewards. “Misuse of confidential funds is a profound betrayal of the people,” said Liza Maza from the Makabayan coalition. “This is not just a technical breach but a systematic plunder of public resources.” Renato Reyes of the Bayan coalition added, “Impeachment is essential for addressing impunity. Citizens and taxpayers must hold officials accountable.” Earlier, a group of civil society activists, including priests and pro-democracy advocates, submitted an initial impeachment case citing approximately 24 alleged crimes and irregularities. These included Duterte’s threats against Marcos, alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings linked to her father's anti-drug campaign, and her perceived failure to counter Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The House of Representatives, dominated by Marcos allies and Speaker Martin Romualdez—who is also at odds with Duterte—will review the impeachment complaints. This process could take weeks or even months, as Congress is set to go into its Christmas break on December 20 and reconvene on January 13. Many lawmakers will then begin campaigning for the May 12 midterm elections. Duterte's offices, as vice president and former education secretary, have been under investigation for their handling of confidential and intelligence funds. She has since stepped down from her education role. Duterte has avoided providing detailed responses during tense televised hearings. Additionally, Philippine police have filed criminal charges against her and her security detail for allegedly assaulting authorities and defying orders during an incident at Congress involving her chief of staff, who was accused of obstructing the funds inquiry. The National Bureau of Investigation has summoned Duterte to appear on December 11 regarding her threats against the president. Duterte and Marcos won their 2022 election campaign in a landslide as running mates but have since had significant political differences. In the Philippines, the vice presidency and presidency are elected separately, leading to a situation where rivals may hold the highest political offices.