Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos made a strong promise on Monday: he will not stay silent in the face of threats to his life. This came after a shocking statement from Vice President Sara Duterte, who said she had arranged for an assassin to kill Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were ever harmed.
In a video message to the nation, Marcos didn’t mention Duterte by name but called the situation “reckless and alarming,” adding that such threats can’t be ignored. He emphasized, “If planning to assassinate the president is this easy, imagine how unsafe ordinary citizens are.”
The Heated Fallout Between Marcos and Duterte
The tension marks a dramatic turn in the relationship between Marcos and the Dutertes. Once allies during the 2022 election, their bond shattered, leading to public clashes. Sara Duterte, who had earlier resigned from her cabinet role, has faced scrutiny over her office’s spending and reacted with hostility to investigations by lawmakers.
Her latest threat to the president came after Congress ordered the detention of her chief of staff for allegedly interfering in an inquiry into Duterte’s handling of public funds. Marcos made it clear that transparency is key, saying, “This drama could have been avoided if questions were simply answered.”
Duterte Family Under Fire
Adding to the drama, Sara Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is under international scrutiny for his controversial “war on drugs,” which left thousands dead. The Marcos administration recently signaled its willingness to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it investigates possible crimes against humanity during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency.
While Rodrigo Duterte admitted full responsibility for the drug war’s casualties and challenged the ICC to “hurry up” its probe, his daughter’s recent actions have only deepened the political storm.
What’s Next?
The explosive feud has left the nation watching closely. Marcos insists he won’t back down, vowing to protect good governance and accountability. Meanwhile, Sara Duterte has yet to respond directly to his statement, leaving many wondering how this high-stakes political drama will unfold.
