House of Representatives prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial say her 2024 public remarks about having a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez constitute an impeachable offense even if there is no proof she actually contracted an assassin. Multiple accounts report that prosecutors argue Duterte’s statements show intent or a “plan” to have the three killed. They also contend that the absence of direct evidence of a hitman contract does not eliminate criminal or impeachment relevance.
In testimony and press briefings cited by outlets, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials describe the threats as serious and relevant to the case. NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, who led cybercrime work related to Duterte’s threats, is described as saying that while he lacks personal knowledge that Duterte hired someone, the evidence gathered points to a kill plot. A witness presented by the prosecution is also described as intended to establish that Duterte had already contracted someone before her later public remarks.
Duterte’s defense, by contrast, rejects the prosecution’s framing, including claims that there was a contracted assassin, and points to a lack of evidence supporting the alleged kill plot.
