Malacañang on Wednesday said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has the responsibility to investigate alleged threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., including a supposed assassination or coup plot claimed by Ramil Madriaga, a self-confessed aide of the Duterte camp.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the NBI does not need direct orders from the President to act on such matters, as probing threats to the head of state falls within its mandate.
“Hindi na nga nabago ito, ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo. Sinimulan na nga ito ng Bise Presidente [Sara Duterte], nadinig na po natin si [Davao City] Mayor Baste Duterte,” Castro said.
“Hindi na po kailangan mag-utos ng presidente para imbestigahan ito ang NBI po, kayo po ay nakatalagang mag-imbestiga sa mga ganitong klaseng death threats sa Pangulo at sa kahit sino mang ordinaryong tao. Mayroon kayong obligasyon na imbestigahan ito,” she added.
The statement came following revelations by Madriaga, who also identified himself as an alleged bagman of the Vice President.
During a House justice panel hearing on Tuesday, Madriaga claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte had supposedly considered an assassination plot—or possibly a coup—against Marcos.
Madriaga also alleged the existence of a term-sharing agreement between Marcos and Vice President Duterte, purportedly reached in November 2021. Under the supposed arrangement, Marcos would step down in 2025 to allow Duterte to assume the presidency.
Malacañang, however, denied that the President has any knowledge of such an agreement.
“Aalamin namin ang buong katotohanan dito pero ang pinag-usapan ni Mr. Ramil Madriaga at ng dating pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte ay wala tayong personal na kaalaman, kahit ang pangulo ay walang personal na kaalaman patungkol dito. ,” Castro said.
She emphasized that Marcos remains committed to fulfilling his mandate.
“Ang pangulo ay nangampanya sa taumbayan, nangako na maglilingkod sa taumbayan at nangako na tatapusin ang kanyang termino para sa bayan,” Castro added.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s camp dismissed Madriaga’s allegations, describing them as “pure fiction” and “not even remotely believable.”
