During the House impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the prosecution argues that Duterte’s 2024 remarks about allegedly hiring a hitman constitute both a criminal act and an impeachable offense. Prosecutors say her statements—referring to an alleged plan to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed—show intent and a “plan” to target the three individuals. The prosecution maintains that, even if Duterte’s statements do not by themselves prove that she actually contracted an assassin, they still indicate possible criminal liability and political accountability warranting impeachment proceedings.
In response to questioning from Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros about how the remarks are impeachable without proof Duterte actually hired someone, prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan indicated the statements may not conclusively establish the alleged hiring, but the prosecution continues to characterize the remarks as implying intent to kill. The prosecution’s position centers on the alleged meaning and implications of Duterte’s own claims, which it presents as relevant to both the standards for impeachment and the elements of the alleged wrongdoing.
