Lawmakers see NBI recommendation strengthening impeachment raps vs VP Duterte

Administration lawmakers are hopeful that the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) recommendation to file charges against Vice President Sara Duterte for inciting sedition and grave threats will strengthen her impeachment case.

Ako Bicol Rep. Angelo Jil Bongalon, a member of the House prosecution team against Duterte, stated that the filing of serious charges would help the panel secure her conviction.

Bongalon added that the NBI's recommendation provides substantial support to the impeachment case, as it highlights the severity of the allegations against VP Duterte and that she committed criminal acts such as grave threats and inciting to sedition.

The charges stemmed from Duterte's public comments in November 2024, where she allegedly stated that she had instructed an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed amid what she called ongoing political persecution against her.

Duterte later denied making such threats, claiming her remarks were taken out of context.

The alleged kill plot was one of seven grounds cited by the House for her impeachment, with an overwhelming 215 lawmakers signing the endorsement of the articles of impeachment to the Senate last week.