Manila: Any threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. must be taken seriously, especially when it is alleged to have come from his own constitutional successor, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chair Joel Chua said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the impeachment complaints cite an alleged threat made by Vice President Duterte against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The allegation stemmed from statements attributed to Duterte in late 2024, when she claimed to have spoken to a contract killer to target top government officials.

The House Committee on Justice has already found the complaints sufficient in form, substance, and grounds, and is now conducting hearings to determine probable cause. The panel is set to focus on the alleged threat in its next hearing on April 29, where officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are expected to appear as resource persons.

Chua said the allegation involving the threat carries serious constitutional implications, pointing to two grounds for impeachment: culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. He emphasized that officials like Vice President Duterte derive their authority from the people and are expected to enforce, not violate, the law.

'Dahil ang taong bayan po, binibigyan po sila ng mandato na kaya po sila binoto para ipatupad 'yung batas. Pero ang lumalabas, sila pa po ang susuway at lalabag sa batas (The people voted for them to give them the mandate to enforce the law. But it appears that they are the ones violating them),' Chua said. 'So maliwanag na maliwanag po 'yan (So, it is very clear), culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust,' he reiterated.