V-P Duterte skips questioning over alleged threat to President Marcos

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte failed to appear on Dec 11 for questioning over a purported threat to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., choosing instead to send a letter denying an allegation she made a "grave threat" to his life.

MANILA -

Ms Duterte, an influential ally of Mr. Marcos until their acrimonious fallout earlier in 2024, was subpoenaed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation to explain remarks during a recent press conference in which she said she had hired a hit man to kill Mr. Marcos, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she was killed.

Ms Duterte, the daughter of firebrand former President Rodrigo Duterte, has not detailed any specific threat to her life, while Mr. Marcos has described her remarks as "reckless and troubling".

The investigation comes as Ms. Duterte is the subject of impeachment complaints in the Lower House for alleged graft, incompetence and amassing ill-gotten wealth while in office, which she has denied.