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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte a no-show for questioning over alleged assassination plot

Ms Duterte received the subpoena after she claimed she had told someone to kill Mr Marcos if she died. (Reuters: Eloisa Lopez)

In short: 

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte did not appear in court to be questioned about an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos.

Ms Duterte instead hosted a luncheon for journalists, at which she accused the government of plotting to oust her.

She was a staunch ally of Marcos until the two fell out earlier this year. 

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte did not appear in court on Wednesday to be questioned about an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos.

Ms Duterte was an influential ally of Mr Marcos until the two men fell out earlier this year. 

At a news conference on November 23, she claimed to have told someone to kill Mr Marcos if the threat against her life was carried out – comments she later said were misinterpreted.

She later denied making the death threats and said her comments were merely an expression of “shock” at the failures of the Marcos administration.

Lunch with journalists

Instead of meeting with government investigators, Duterte hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for several journalists at her office, during which she accused the government of conspiring to remove her from office and prosecute her.

“I don’t believe the investigation will be fair,” Duterte told reporters.

“The worst-case scenario we’re looking at is that I’m removed from office, impeached, and then there’s layer upon layer of cases.”

Two weeks ago, both political parties formally asked the House of Representatives to remove her from office through impeachment.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte absent from questioning on assassination plot

Marcos and Duterte teamed up to win the presidential election two years ago. (AP: Aaron Favila/File)

But the Philippine president said he had urged the House of Representatives not to impeach her because the attempt would be pointless.

Asked about the vice president, National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago said if Ms Duterte’s absence was due to a Christmas party, then “it doesn’t make sense. 

“If someone accuses you of something and you don’t respond, your silence condemns you,” he said. 

The relationship between Marcos and Duterte is in stark contrast to two years ago, when their two families joined forces to win the presidential election.

Ms. Duterte initially led in presidential polls but chose to campaign alongside Mr. Marcos rather than against him.

AFP/Reuters

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