The Palace has referred Vice President Sara Duterte’s public threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the Presidential Security Command (PSC) for urgent action.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Saturday that the Executive Secretary immediately acted upon Duterte’s statement, where she claimed to have contracted an assassin should harm come to her.
“Acting on the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President if an alleged plot against her succeeds, the Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action,” the Palace said.
“Any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms,” it added.
PSC Tightens Security
In response, the PSC said it had implemented heightened security protocols to protect the President, the First Family, and other key government officials.
“Any threat to the life of the President and the First Family, regardless of its origin—and especially one made so brazenly in public—is treated with the utmost seriousness. We consider this a matter of national security and shall take all necessary measures to ensure the President’s safety,” the PSC said in a statement.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also confirmed it would investigate Duterte’s claims.
“The PNP Chief, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, has directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to conduct a thorough and immediate investigation into this issue,” the PNP said. “The safety of the President is a national concern, and any direct or indirect threat to his life must be addressed with the highest level of urgency.”
Duterte’s Controversial Remarks
During a media briefing, Duterte admitted to instructing a person to retaliate against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Romualdez should any harm come to her.
“‘Wag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘pag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez,’” Duterte said.
She reiterated her instructions during the briefing: “Nagbilin na ako. ‘Pag namatay ako, wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said yes.”
Political Tensions and Allegations
The Vice President’s comments followed the House of Representatives’ order to transfer her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, from detention to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Lopez, who reported feeling unwell, is currently at Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Duterte labeled the transfer order as an “attempted homicide” and accused Marcos and Romualdez of orchestrating her staff’s ordeal.
“All because we are in this [expletive] farce… All because gusto ni Martin mag president,” Duterte said.
She also criticized the President, describing him as indecisive. “Walang decision-making skills at all, zero,” she said, adding that the probe into confidential funds under her leadership was a “waste of time.”
Duterte called for a shift in focus toward economic competitiveness and nation-building instead of what she termed “fishing for evidence” to discredit political rivals.
Calls for Security and Stability
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong condemned Duterte’s remarks as “reckless and destabilizing.”
“This rhetoric is deeply irresponsible and deeply troubling. We do not want these kinds of threats directed against anyone—not to the sitting President, the Speaker, or even to the Vice President herself,” Adiong said.
He urged for heightened security measures for the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker, emphasizing their importance to national stability.
“The President and the Speaker are pillars of our democracy. Any threat against them is a threat to our nation’s security. It is imperative to ensure their safety at all costs,” Adiong concluded.