VP Sara Duterte faces preliminary probe over sedition raps

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has scheduled a preliminary investigation for Vice President Sara Duterte concerning charges of inciting to sedition and grave threats.

The cases were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in February, following an investigation into alleged threats made by the Vice President in November 2024 against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Vice President Duterte confirmed receiving the summons for the investigation, which is set for May 9 and May 16.

During a press conference last November, Duterte reportedly stated that she had instructed someone to kill the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker should she die, and emphasized that her statement was not a jest, although she later claimed she was taken out of context.

The NBI's investigation concluded that her remarks amounted to grave threats and incitement to sedition.

Duterte has denied making the threat, insisting her comments were taken out of context and calling the NBI complaint politically motivated.