Duterte Dismisses 'Kill Plot' Evidence as Impeachment Trial Intensifies in Manila

Vice President Sara Duterte is doubling down, publicly dismissing the impeachment complaint accusing her of an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, calling it baseless. Her statement came on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as the Senate impeachment court continued its proceedings, delving deeper into the serious allegations that have rocked Philippine politics. This marks Day 5 of the high-stakes trial, highlighting a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the nation's top two elected officials. The core of the complaint centers on Duterte's explosive remarks during a November 2024 press conference, where she allegedly claimed to have hired an assassin to target Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez should anything happen to her. During the trial, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc testified that their evidence linked Duterte to the plot, despite admitting no personal, direct knowledge of her hiring a hitman. The defense, led by counsel Mark Vinluan, has been vigorously challenging the prosecution's case, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in NBI documents and framing the accusations as mere speculation. As the Senate continues to scrutinize Article IV of the impeachment complaint, President Marcos Jr. is notably absent, currently on a three-day working visit to Singapore for bilateral relations and investment talks, with First Lady Liza Marcos also accompanying him. The prosecution initially planned to present Duterte's chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, but later decided against it, citing redundancy. With Duterte steadfastly denying the charges and the defense questioning the evidence, all eyes are on the Senate as this dramatic political showdown unfolds, with potential ramifications for the 2028 presidential elections and the country's political landscape.