MANILA, Philippines — Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua asserted on Saturday night, May 9, 2026, that Vice President Sara Duterte herself produced the most damning evidence regarding the alleged “grave threats” she made against the nation’s top leaders.
Chua, who chairs the House committee on good government and public accountability, stated that the Vice President’s public remarks require no further explanation, applying the legal doctrine of res ipsa loquitur—meaning “the thing speaks for itself.”
The controversy centers on a November 2024 video press conference where the Vice President, visibly angry, claimed she had instructed an individual to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be killed first.
- Self-Authentication: Chua noted that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and journalists who attended the press conference have already authenticated the videos.
- Capacity and Intent: Addressing whether the threats were “just a joke,” Chua pointed out that the committee considered the situational factors and the seriousness of the targets. “When you say head of state, that person represents the entire Philippines,” Chua said on ONE News’ Politika All The Way.
- The ICC Connection: Chua further noted that the current detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity raises legitimate concerns about the family’s “capacity” to carry out acts of violence.
Despite multiple invitations to clarify her statements, Vice President Duterte and her legal team have opted not to attend the House Committee on Justice hearings.
- Non-Participation: Chua characterized the Vice President’s absence from three clarificatory hearings as a refusal to rebut the allegations. “What evidence did they present? You have to refute them because if you don’t, they begin to appear true,” he emphasized in Filipino.
- Official Records Only: The committee stated it would ignore social media posts and media attacks made by the VP’s camp, relying strictly on official records and evidence submitted during the proceedings.
- Probable Cause: On May 4, 2026, the House justice committee approved a committee report recommending the Vice President’s removal from office after finding probable cause in two consolidated impeachment complaints.
Beyond the alleged assassination threats, Chua highlighted other “strong” bases for the impeachment recommendation:
| Allegation | Evidence Cited |
| Unexplained Wealth | Discrepancies in SALNs and SEC records showing business losses despite millions in cash flow. |
| Confidential Fund Misuse | COA notices of disallowance totaling ₱448 million for 2022–2023. |
| Fictitious Beneficiaries | PSA certifications showing “names” like Mary Grace Piatos do not exist in the civil registry. |
| Sedition & Grave Threats | Authenticated public statements directed at the Head of State. |
As of May 11, 2026, the articles of impeachment are moving toward a plenary vote in the House of Representatives. If successful, the case will be transmitted to the Senate for trial. However, political tensions remain high as the PDP-Laban party warned that lawmakers supporting the impeachment bid may lose political support in the 2028 elections.