MANILA – Philippine police announced on Nov 27 that they had filed a formal complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her security team, citing charges of direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion stemming from incidents at the Lower House of Congress and a hospital.
Ms. Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has faced mounting scrutiny over her office’s spending in her dual roles as vice president and education minister. Tensions have escalated during an ongoing congressional inquiry, with frequent clashes between Ms. Duterte and lawmakers.
In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Francisco Marbil affirmed the police’s dedication to justice, emphasizing that accountability applies to all, regardless of status. This complaint comes amid a backdrop of increasing political strife, including a reported breakdown in Ms. Duterte’s relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former running mate.
The controversy intensified following the detention of one of Ms. Duterte’s aides at the Lower House, who was subsequently transferred to a hospital for medical reasons. Ms. Duterte expressed outrage over the incident.
The situation escalated further on Nov 23 when Ms. Duterte declared that she had “contracted an assassin” to retaliate against President Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were killed. President Marcos publicly condemned the statement, while Philippine law officials summoned Ms. Duterte on Nov 26 to explain her remarks.
In her defense, Ms. Duterte claimed her comments were misconstrued, describing them as a “conditional act of revenge” rather than a direct threat to the president’s life. The legal and political tensions surrounding Ms. Duterte mark a turbulent chapter in the country’s leadership, highlighting divisions at the highest levels of Philippine governance.