2024-11-26 07:48:00
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine authorities on Tuesday issued a subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte’s office, inviting her to answer questions from investigators after she publicly threatened to assassinate the president, his wife and the House of Representatives The Speaker will be assassinated.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday described threats against his vice president as a criminal conspiracy and vowed to fight the threat and uphold the rule of law in the country.
The national police and army expressed shock and immediately stepped up security for Marcos. National Security Adviser Eduardo Arnold said the threats were a matter of national security.
Duterte, a 46-year-old lawyer, said her comments were not an actual threat but an expression of fear for her safety because her life was in unspecified danger. She claimed the Marcos government’s rhetoric against her was “a farce” and part of an effort to persecute critics like her.
The subpoena ordered Duterte to appear in court on Friday “to clarify the investigation into the alleged serious threat.”
Duterte said on Monday she was willing to be investigated but asked the Marcos administration to also answer her questions, including about alleged government irregularities.
Under Philippine law, such public statements may constitute a crime of threatening harm to another person or his or her family, punishable by imprisonment and fines.
Marcos is running alongside Duterte as vice presidential running mate in the 2022 elections, with both men winning in landslides on campaigns promoting national unity. In the Philippines, these two offices are elected separately.
However, the two leaders and their teams soon became bitterly divided over key differences, including their approach to China’s aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Duterte resigned in June as education secretary and head of the counterinsurgency agency in Marcos’ cabinet, becoming one of the most outspoken critics of the president, his wife and House of Representatives President Martín Romualdez.
The House of Representatives is investigating Duterte for alleged misappropriation of government funds while he was vice president and education secretary.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**1. What are the potential consequences of Sara Duterte’s threats against President Marcos for the political landscape in the Philippines?**
**Interview on Recent Political Tensions in the Philippines**
**Host:** Welcome to our segment, where we delve into the latest political developments in the Philippines. Today, we have Dr. Elise Cuenca, a political analyst, to discuss the recent threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Marcos and other government officials. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Cuenca.
**Dr. Cuenca:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** Let’s get straight to it. Vice President Sara Duterte is in the headlines after her alarming remarks about assassinating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House Speaker. What do you think prompted these comments from her?
**Dr. Cuenca:** It’s quite shocking, to say the least. These threats reflect an intense political climate in the Philippines. Sara Duterte’s comments might be seen as a manifestation of familial loyalty or as a reaction to the political pressures she faces. Given her father’s controversial administration and her own political aspirations, the stakes are incredibly high.
**Host:** President Marcos has described the threats against the vice president as a criminal conspiracy. How do you think this situation escalates from here?
**Dr. Cuenca:** Marcos’s response is significant. By labeling the threats as a criminal conspiracy, he is framing the issue as one that threatens national stability. This not only elevates the seriousness of the threats but also positions his administration as one that will not tolerate such behavior. The subpoena issued to Sara Duterte suggests that authorities are treating this matter with gravity, likely to set a legal precedent that no one is above the law.
**Host:** The police and military have ramped up security for Marcos. How do you see this affecting the dynamic between his administration and the Duterte camp?
**Dr. Cuenca:** This is a critical moment. Increasing security indicates a fracture in their political alliance and creates a sense of fear within the administration. It could lead to a more polarized political environment, with each side potentially mobilizing their supporters for defense. The implications could be severe, not just for their relationship but for overall governance in the Philippines.
**Host:** You mentioned the implications for governance. How might these tensions affect the Duterte administration’s plans moving forward, especially in light of their close ties with the U.S. and Japan?
**Dr. Cuenca:** Stability is crucial for international relations. With the Philippines deepening ties with the U.S. and Japan, any internal conflict could be seen as a weakness by foreign allies. If the Duterte camp and the Marcos administration can’t manage this crisis effectively, it could jeopardize international support and complicate strategic partnerships.
**Host:** Final thoughts? What should we look out for as this situation develops?
**Dr. Cuenca:** Watch for governmental responses and public sentiment. If Marcos remains steadfast against these threats, he may strengthen his position. Conversely, if the public begins to sympathize with Sara Duterte, we could see a shift in power. There’s a lot at stake here, not only for them but for the Filipino people as well.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Cuenca, for your insights into this unfolding situation. We’ll continue to monitor the developments closely.
**Dr. Cuenca:** Thank you for having me!
