DOJ evaluates VP Duterte-Carpio's sedition and grave threats case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed hope that Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will see criminal charges for inciting to sedition and grave threats as an opportunity to clear her name.

During a November 2024 online press briefing, Duterte claimed she had ordered someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were assassinated.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that the charges were submitted to the DOJ for evaluation after a thorough investigation despite Duterte's absence from two NBI invitations in November and December 2024.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano stated that prosecutors are evaluating whether the complaint will be returned to the NBI for further case build-up or if it will be submitted for preliminary investigation, with results expected within a few days.

The Vice President faces up to twelve years in jail if found guilty of grave threat charges, while her office declined to comment when contacted by telephone.

Duterte later clarified that her 'assassination' statement was not a threat but rather an emphasis on the alleged security risk she faced.