Philippine VP Duterte named ‘mastermind’ in plot to kill President Marcos Jr.; could face criminal charges

The Department of Justice (DOJ) of the Philippines announced on Monday (Nov. 25) that a subpoena would be issued against Vice President Sara Duterte concerning her alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The DOJ described Duterte as a “self-confessed mastermind” in the scheme against the country's highest-ranking official, as per local media reports.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that the subpoena would be served by Tuesday as the agency has already launched an investigation into the matter. DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres said that Duterte would have five days to respond to the allegations before the investigation progresses further.

“The premeditated plot to assassinate the President as declared by the self-confessed mastermind, will now face legal consequences… We will use all the resources of government, all law enforcement agents, to find out the identity of this assassin and the legal consequences arising out of this criminal plot, will be dealt with the full force of the law,” Andres said.

“The important thing that everyone should understand from those statements is the lack of recourse to legal and judicial remedies. That is what is appalling in this situation where a high-ranking official would not have recourse to legal and judicial remedies to seek redress,” he added.

“We cannot take the law into our own hands. No one should espouse that kind of thinking. And that is why I strongly believe that exposes her to criminal liabilities,” he added.

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The DOJ indicated that Duterte might face charges, including grave threats and sedition, though other possible offences are being considered. “Sedition is a possibility, but we are also examining whether graver crimes may apply,” Andres said. Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon agreed, adding that the Vice President’s comments “cannot be taken lightly,” given her position as the second-highest official in the country.

While the investigation continues, Duterte will be allowed to present her side. Andres said that the government is exploring every angle and motive behind the alleged plot before determining the appropriate charges to file. Additionally, NBI Director Santiago mentioned that Facebook had been asked to preserve video evidence in which Duterte allegedly made the incriminating statements.

When asked about the possibility of Duterte being disbarred as a lawyer, Santiago said it would depend on the findings and whether there is sufficient cause for disbarment.

“This is not something that you can simply dismiss, coming from the Vice President who is just an earshot from the Presidency if she decides to run. But again, we have to look at all of these in the context of all the things that are going on and we cannot simply isolate the situation to the statements that were made. So we have to be very careful in going over the events leading to the statements that were made by the Vice President,” Prosecutor General Fadullon said.

(With inputs from agencies)