Romualdez demands accountability from VP Duterte over 'dangerous' remark vs PH leaders

Vice-President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024, while the hearing on alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education is suspended. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday said Vice President Sara Duterte should be held accountable for her "alarming and unprecedented" statement detailing an alleged assassination plot against Philippine leaders, adding that it "sends a chilling message" to the Filipino people.

'P*t*ng *n* ninyong lahat!': Sara Duterte lashes out at Marcoses, Romualdez

During a Saturday press conference, Duterte revealed her alleged plan to have President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Romualdez assassinated should she get killed. The remark sent security forces into frenzy, calling it a "serious threat" to the First Family.

READ: DOJ to subpoena VP Sara Duterte over kill plot vs Marcos Jr.

"Let me begin with a matter that is both alarming and unprecedented -- the vice president of the Republic of the Philippines, Sara Duterte, admitted to contacting an assassin to kill President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and myself," Romualdez said during Monday's session of the House of Representatives.

"Let me be clear -- hindi na 'to biro. Hindi na 'to normal na panalita. Isa itong direktang banta sa ating demokrasya, sa ating pamahalaan, at sa seguridad ng bayan," he added.

(This is no longer a joke. This is not a normal statement. This is a direct threat to our democracy, government, and the security of our country.)

Romualdez said the "confession" of Duterte "demands accountability" as "we cannot let this pass as mere rhetoric." 

"It demands answers. It demands that we as representatives of the Filipino people take a stand to protect our democracy from any and all forms of threats," Romualdez said.

Security for Marcos' upcoming activities doubled after VP Sara Duterte 'threat'

The House Speaker also denied Duterte’s claim that he is behind a supposed plot against her due to his ambition to run for the presidency in 2028.

“Now, let us address another serious matter — the Vice President’s unfounded and baseless accusations that I am plotting to destroy her because of alleged political ambitions for the 2028 elections… Ang pulitika ng paninira ay hindi kailanman naging bahagi ng aking prinsipyo,” Romualdez said.

“My colleagues, these accusations are not only untrue. They are a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues at hand,” he added.

Romualdez suspects Duterte’s claims are meant to divert public attention from the House investigation into the P612.5 million confidential expenses of the OVP and the Department of Education in 2022 and 2023.

“Why these baseless accusations? The answer is simple: to divert attention from the mounting evidence of fund misuse under her leadership at the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education,” he said.

“The issues surrounding confidential and intelligence funds, the questionable disbursements, and the lack of transparency demand answers. We will not tolerate and accept vague explanations and evasive responses. Kung wala kang itinatago, bakit hindi sagutin ang mga tanong?” Romualdez added.

“Instead of providing clarity, we have seen attempts to shift the narrative, to create distractions, and to fabricate stories. But let me remind everyone: the truth is resilient. No amount of noise can drown it out,” he noted.

Duterte previously denied there was misuse of public funds in her office.

Romualdez, meanwhile, criticized the Vice President’s supposed breach of security protocols at the House of Representatives, when she stayed overnight in his brother’s office within the House premises, after visiting her House-detained Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez.

“Disrespect for the protocols, security measures, and leadership of this institution is not just a breach of rules — it is a breach of trust. To mock our protocols, to defy our orders, and to malign our leaders is to disrespect the Filipino people, who elected us to serve,” he said.

The House Speaker urged his colleagues at the lower house to defend the institution.

“To the Filipino people, I assure you that this House will not waver in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and service. We should not allow individuals to ruin this great nation with their manipulative tactics, their troll armies, or their few blind followers,” Romualdez said.

CALL FOR INVESTIGATION

House Deputy Speaker David Suarez called for a full investigation into Duterte’s assassination threat.

“This is not an offhand remark that can be swept under the rug. This is an admission by the 2nd highest official in the land of a premeditated intent to harm the highest leaders of our government. This is a direct attack on the Presidency, on this house, and on the very foundations of our democracy,” he said.

“It is a betrayal, not just of the President and this institution, but of every single Filipino who entrusted her with power. How can someone sword to uphold the Constitution and protect the people conspire to commit such an act of unthinkable violence?” Suarez added.

“This is a threat to our national security, our democratic processes and the rule of law… For the Vice President to even contemplate such actions, is a gross abuse of power and betrayal of the office she holds… We must act now… The House must take immediate action… We must call for a full investigation into the Vice President’s admissions,” he stressed.

“We demand answers. We demand accountability. And we demand that the Vice President face the full force of the law for her actions,” Suarez said.

The House of Representatives adopted on Monday House Resolution 2092 expressing the “unwavering and unqualified support” of the lower house to the leadership of President Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Romualdez following the Vice President’s statements.

Duterte earlier said her statement was "maliciously" taken out of "logical context."

Marcos said Duterte’s kill threat over the weekend was “a criminal attempt” that should not be condoned.

Marcos on VP Sara Duterte’s kill threat: ‘Yang ganyang kriminal na pagtatangka ay di dapat pinapalampas’

The Vice President had repeatedly accused the Marcos administration with the help of the House leadership of carrying out a demolition as they supposedly see her as a threat in the 2028 presidential elections, naming Romualdez as a presidential wannabe. 

But the House leader said Duterte's "baseless" allegations are meant to deflect attention from the supposed misuse of confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which she previously led.

'Wala kaming kakampi dito': VP Duterte feuds with lawmakers who detained her top aide

"My colleagues, these accusations are not only untrue; they are a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues at hand... Why these baseless accusations? The answer is simple: to divert attention from the mounting evidence of fund misuse under her leadership at the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education," Romualdez said.

Duterte on Monday attended the House panel hearing investigating the issues surrounding her offices' fund utilization.

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