MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Monday its plan to issue a subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte following her admission of ordering an assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the subpoena would be served within the day as investigations into the alarming threats have already commenced.

“We will ask her to appear before our office within five days. She will be given a chance to explain her side,” Santiago said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also vowed swift action. DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres emphasized the seriousness of the threat and the government’s commitment to holding Duterte accountable.

“The premeditated plot to assassinate the President, as declared by the self-confessed mastermind, will now face legal consequences,” Andres said.

“We will use all the resources of the government, all law enforcement agents, to find out the identity of the assassin and the legal consequences arising in this criminal plot will be dealt with the full force of the law,” the Justice Secretary added.

During a Saturday press conference, Duterte revealed that she had arranged for someone to assassinate Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez if anything happened to her.

“May kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez.’ No joke, no joke. Nagbilin na ako,” she said.

The Palace has since labeled Duterte’s remarks as an “active threat.”

VP Duterte backtracks on death threat

On Monday, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed her statements had been “maliciously taken out of logical context,” instead blaming the National Security Council (NSC) for investigating her threat.

In a letter shared by the Office of the Vice President via Facebook, Duterte issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the NSC to justify her exclusion and provide documentation, including attendance records and notarized minutes of meetings assessing her recent remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“I urge all National Security Council members and the Filipino people to demand transparency and accountability from personnel of the NSC,” Duterte said.

Duterte also attempted to downplay her remarks, stating during a follow-up briefing that her comments were hypothetical and driven by “concerns about my security because I hear things.”

The NSC, treating Duterte’s threat as a serious matter, announced it would coordinate with law enforcement to validate the claim and investigate the motives and possible perpetrators. It called the threat a “national security concern.”

Marcos Condemns VP Duterte’s Threats: ‘The Truth Cannot Be Killed’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday condemned Vice President Sara Duterte’s admission of plotting to assassinate him, calling it a criminal act that endangers not only the presidency but the entire nation.

“Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mga pangkaraniwan na mamamayan?” Marcos said in a video statement. “’Yang ganyang kriminal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas.”

The President also criticized Duterte for resorting to threats instead of addressing legitimate questions raised in Congress.

“Hindi na sana hahantong sa ganitong drama kung sasagutin lang sana ang mga lehitimong katanungan sa Senado at House of Representatives,” he said. “Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang.”

Marcos’ remarks referenced the controversial “tokhang” operation under Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, which led to thousands of deaths during the war on drugs.

The escalating feud between the President and Vice President has alarmed political observers as tensions within the country’s top leadership continue to rise.

📷 Screenshot from the OVP