DOJ Confirms Duterte's Presidential Ambitions Unrelated to Pending Legal Review
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially stated that Vice President Sara Duterte's recent declaration of her intention to seek the presidency in 2028 will have no bearing on the ongoing assessment of serious legal complaints filed against her. This clarification comes as the DOJ continues its review of inciting to sedition and grave threats allegations stemming from remarks made by Duterte in 2024.
Legal Proceedings Continue Unaffected
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez emphasized during a press briefing that the prosecutors' evaluation of the case remains independent of political developments. "That's under review meaning there is already resolution but it is pending review by the prosecution division head," Martinez explained. He further noted that the complexity of the case has contributed to the delay in its final disposition.
The complaints against Vice President Duterte originate from a 2024 online press briefing where she allegedly discussed instructing an unnamed individual to target President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez in response to what she described as a plot against her life. Duterte, who is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has maintained that her statements were taken out of context.
Background of the Controversial Remarks
The legal scrutiny focuses on Duterte's specific comments about allegedly hiring an assassin, which prompted the filing of inciting to sedition and grave threats complaints. Despite her presidential announcement on February 18, 2026, the DOJ confirms that the case remains under active review, with no connection to her political aspirations.
Key points from the DOJ statement include:
- The complaints have reached a resolution stage but await final review by division heads.
- Prosecutors are assessing the case based solely on legal merits, not political considerations.
- The complexity of the allegations has extended the review timeline.
This development highlights the separation between legal proceedings and electoral politics in the Philippines, as the DOJ maintains its commitment to an impartial review process regardless of Duterte's future political plans.
