VP Sara could carry out alleged threat as Duterte's daughter, says NBI's Lotoc

Vice President Sara Duterte can effect the alleged threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family, considering that she is the second-highest government official and the daughter of someone who faces charges of crimes against humanity for alleged extrajudicial killings, a Prosecution witness said Tuesday.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc said this on the fifth day of the impeachment trial of Duterte, when asked by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian if he believes that the Vice President has the capability to fulfill the alleged threat.

“Definitely po,” Lotoc answered.

Gatchalian further asked the witness what evidence he has seen to support the claim that Duterte can carry out the supposed assassination threat against Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, if she herself gets killed.

“Well, for one, she is the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines,” Lotoc said.

The Senate President challenged Lotoc’s answer, saying that being a Vice President does not justify that she can do such an action.

“Alam naman po natin ‘yung background na ‘yung tatay niya na dating presidente ay hinaharap ngayon ‘yung kaso sa ICC dahil sa mga extrajudicial killings, etc.," Lotoc said.

(We are all aware of her background—her father, a former president, is currently facing a case before the ICC regarding extrajudicial killings, etc. )

"So tinignan namin ‘yun na indeed being in that situation, may capability ho aside from the fact na Bise Presidente siya,” he added.

(So, we considered that. Indeed, given that situation, she has the capability—aside from the fact that she is the Vice President.)

Sara Duterte's father is former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, for charges of crimes against humanity for alleged extrajudicial killings during his time as president and Davao City mayor.

The Duterte patriarch was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11, 2025, based on a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court.

His trial is set to commence on November 30, 2026.—LDF, GMA News