House leader says threat to PBBM grows every day Senate delays VP Duterte trial

A leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday warned senators that the threat to the life of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. grows every day that they delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We are not dealing with an ordinary elected official here. The Vice President has a history of brash and violent tendencies – she has made direct threats before, and we would be foolish to ignore the possibility that she may act on them,” Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.

“Napakarami nang puwedeng mangyari sa limang buwan ng pagkaantala ng Senate trial. Let’s not be naïve – every day this trial is stalled, the threat to the President’s life grows, so is the ‘kill’ threat to the First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos, and our own Speaker, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. This is not just about legal technicalities; this is about ensuring the safety and stability of our country,” he said.

Acidre raised the alarm over what he described as a five-month delay in VP Duterte’s Senate trial, stressing that this is not just a political or legal issue but a national security concern.

He cited the Vice President’s past statements and actions, which he said suggest “a pattern of aggressive and reckless behavior.”

In particular, he highlighted the November 23, 2024, meltdown of VP Duterte, during which she claimed that if she were assassinated, she had already arranged for an assassin to kill President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez.

“The Vice President’s past behavior, including her infamous public outbursts and use of force, should not be dismissed,” Acidre said.

“Hindi malayo na she will harm the President. She has already demonstrated what she is capable of. If we continue to delay justice, we may be placing our Commander-in-Chief in serious danger,” he said.

He urged the Senate to move swiftly and decisively, emphasizing that “delaying the trial only emboldens those who thrive in impunity.”

The House leader reiterated that public officials should be held accountable for their actions and that due process should not be weaponized to shield powerful individuals from the law.

“Walang sinuman ang dapat makaligtas sa batas, lalo na kung may banta sa pinakamataas na lider ng bansa,” he concluded.

While Acidre raised the possible threat to the lives of the President, the First Lady and Speaker Romualdez a delayed trial could heighten, some House impeachment prosecutors have reminded senators of the constitutional command for them to begin the trial as soon as possible.

Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the mandate of the Constitution is for the Senate trial “to proceed forthwith” if the impeachment complaint is filed by one-third of all members of the House.

The impeachment petition against Vice President Duterte was signed by 215 House members, more than two-thirds of the chamber’s membership.

Twenty-five more lawmakers have expressed their intention to join the petition by submitting verification forms.

1986 Constitutional Commission member Rene Sarmiento said the Senate can convene as an impeachment court even during the current May elections-related recess of Congress.