Philippine police officials have filed criminal complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders during an altercation in Congress. The complaints were lodged by Quezon City police and are separate from any legal action that may result from Duterte's recent public threats.
The threats made by Duterte included a statement about having President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House Speaker assassinated in the event of harm to herself, although she did not provide details of the alleged plot. A presidential adviser has also filed a petition to disbar Duterte as a lawyer due to her assassination threats.
The conflict between the Duterte and Marcos families has escalated over the past two years, with legal actions being taken against Duterte, her father, and their allies. Duterte has denied and downplayed the criminal complaints and potential lawsuits against her, alleging that they are part of a government effort to remove her from office and restrict her activities.
The Department of Justice is also investigating remarks made by former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara's father, regarding the military's role in addressing governance issues under the Marcos administration. The criminal complaints against Sara Duterte and her aides include charges of assaulting, disobeying, and grave coercion, which carry potential jail time and fines.
The altercation that led to the complaints occurred during a congressional inquiry into alleged misuse of funds by the vice president's office. Duterte's chief of staff was temporarily detained, leading to a confrontation with authorities. The national police chief emphasized the importance of accountability and upholding the rule of law in response to the incident.
Authorities have issued a subpoena to Duterte to answer questions about her threats, which she claims were expressions of concern for her safety. The rift between Duterte and Marcos, who were once political allies, has widened over various issues, including their stances on China's territorial claims and the former president's anti-drug campaign.
Sara Duterte's resignation from the Marcos Cabinet and subsequent criticism of the president and his allies have further strained relations between the two camps. The political landscape in the Philippines remains tense as the conflict between the country's most powerful families continues to unfold.
