Philippine Vice President Says She Would have Marcos Assassinated if She is Killed

In a fiery press conference, Duterte claimed to have directed a hitman to retaliate against Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if her life were taken.

The vice president, known for her outspoken demeanour, insisted that her remarks were not in jest. She accused Marcos of being unfit for office and described the state of the nation under his leadership in bleak terms.

Duterte was responding to an online commenter urging her to prioritise her safety while spending time at Congress. She did not cite any specific threats against her, but her comments have raised significant alarm.

The Philippine government has vowed to treat the situation as a matter of national security. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that all threats against the president’s life are being taken seriously, with law enforcement and intelligence agencies instructed to investigate.

Marcos’ security detail has reportedly increased its protective measures, and an official inquiry has been launched into Duterte’s claims.

Once staunch political allies who secured landslide victories in the 2022 elections, Duterte and Marcos have become adversaries over key policy differences and personal animosities.

Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, resigned from the cabinet earlier this year, signaling a breakdown in their partnership. Her resignation and subsequent criticisms of Marcos have deepened the divide, with their feud becoming increasingly public and acrimonious.

Tensions have been exacerbated by budget cuts to the vice president’s office—slashed by nearly two-thirds under the leadership of Marcos’ ally, Speaker Romualdez—and investigations into Duterte’s use of public funds during her tenure as education secretary.

The escalating feud comes ahead of mid-term elections in May 2025, which will test Marcos’ popularity and ability to consolidate power.

Political violence is not unfamiliar to the Philippines, with notable instances like the assassination of Benigno Aquino in 1983 serving as stark reminders of the nation's fraught political history.

Duterte’s inflammatory remarks add a volatile dimension to an already tense political environment, heightening concerns about stability and governance as the country navigates a crucial electoral cycle.
Source: CNN