MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The political landscape in the Philippines is fraught with tension as Vice President Sara Duterte's recent threats against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. continue to reverberate. The situation has thrust Sen. Imee Marcos, the president's sister and a close friend of Duterte, into a delicate position, caught between the two most powerful figures in the country.
The controversy erupted over the weekend following the arrest of Zuleika Lopez, an executive in the Office of the Vice President, at the House of Representatives. Lopez was subsequently transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women and then to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), where she was joined by Duterte.
In a series of inflammatory statements, Duterte claimed that she had contacted a hitman to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if anything were to happen to her. These threats, while initially dismissed as mere hyperbole, have been taken seriously by authorities.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sen. Imee Marcos was spotted at the VMMC on Sunday, where Duterte was staying with Lopez. When questioned about her presence, Sen. Marcos denied visiting Duterte, stating, "Hindi, pumunta lang ako sa Veterans." (No, I just went to Veterans.)
However, witnesses reported seeing Sen. Marcos being greeted by Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, upon her arrival at the VMMC. Sen. Bong Go, another Duterte confidante, also visited the Vice President and Lopez during the weekend.
Sen. Imee Marcos's silence regarding Duterte's threats has further fueled speculation about the nature of their relationship and the potential for political fallout. She declined to comment on Duterte's threats against her brother, stating "Wala na muna ako comment." (I have no comment yet.)
This silence echoes her previous refusal to comment on Duterte's earlier threats to exhume the remains of her father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and throw them into the West Philippine Sea.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is taking Duterte's threats seriously, despite her later claims that her statements were taken out of context. The Vice President herself has insisted that her plans were not meant as a joke.
The NBI has announced that they will subpoena Duterte to explain her statements and are working to identify the alleged hitman she contacted.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres, during a Monday press briefing, highlighted the potential consequences of Duterte's actions, stating, "Please understand that if ever this threat of assassination actually happens or is accomplished, she is the ultimate beneficiary. And we have to do everything to protect the president."
The current situation has raised concerns about the stability of the Philippines' political landscape. The escalating tensions between the President and Vice President, coupled with the silence of Sen. Imee Marcos, have created a climate of uncertainty and heightened political intrigue.
The public awaits further developments, particularly the outcome of the NBI investigation, to understand the full extent of the threat and the potential ramifications for the Marcos presidency.
Alvarez Condemns Romualdez's Arbitrary Detention in Lopez Case
Romualdez Faces Backlash Over Lopez Detention: Alvarez Accuses Speaker of Arbitrary Detention, Calls for Accountability
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The transfer of Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from the House detention facility to the women's prison has sparked a wave of controversy, with former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez accusing House Speaker Martin Romualdez and others involved in the transfer of arbitrary detention.
Alvarez, a staunch critic of the current administration, argues that there is no legal basis for Lopez's detention outside the jurisdiction of the legislative department. "I think Speaker Romualdez, as well as those involved in the incident, can be charged with arbitrary detention," Alvarez stated in a statement released on Sunday. "There is no legal ground to detain Atty. Lopez at the Women's Correctional Institute. That is for those charged with a crime and sentenced by the court. Atty. Lopez's situation is not like that. It's far from that."
Alvarez, citing House rules, emphasizes that the power of Congress to detain is limited to facilities under its jurisdiction. "A person cited in contempt can be detained in such place as the Chairperson or acting Chairperson may designate," he explained. "What they did to Lopez is very wrong. The power of Congress to detain is limited to detention facilities under its jurisdiction."
The controversy stems from the ongoing investigation by the House committee on good government and public accountability into the alleged misuse of the OVP and the Department of Education's confidential funds (CF) during the Duterte administration. Lopez, a key figure in the investigation, was cited for contempt during the seventh hearing and ordered detained on the House premises.
However, Lopez's detention took a dramatic turn on Friday night when she was transferred to the women's prison, accompanied by Vice President Sara Duterte. The move sparked immediate outrage, with Duterte and Lopez holding a press conference to address the situation.
Lopez is currently confined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center due to medical issues stemming from a panic attack reportedly triggered by the news of her transfer.
Alvarez, echoing Duterte's concerns, believes that the transfer was a deliberate attempt to pressure the Vice President and her staff. He also alleges that the move is part of a broader campaign to "destroy" their political enemies ahead of the 2028 elections.
"This alleged harassment targets to destroy their enemy for the 2028 elections," Alvarez stated. "They are trying to silence the Vice President and her staff. This is a blatant abuse of power."
The incident has triggered a heated debate about the limits of congressional power and the potential for political manipulation in the face of investigations. Legal experts are now weighing in on the legality of Lopez's transfer and the potential charges against Romualdez and others involved.
The controversy is expected to escalate in the coming days, with calls for accountability and transparency growing stronger. The incident has also highlighted the growing tensions between the current administration and the opposition, setting the stage for a potentially contentious political landscape leading up to the 2028 elections.