Malacañang on Wednesday said Vice President Sara Duterte did not deny allegations that she threatened the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the opening day of her impeachment trial, noting that her defense instead invoked freedom of expression.
The issue was raised during the Palace press briefing by a reporter who asked whether President Marcos watched the portion of the impeachment proceedings that discussed the Vice President's alleged death threat against him and whether the hearing validated the President's earlier position that such remarks should not be taken lightly.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president did not monitor the proceedings because he was occupied with official engagements and meetings.
“Katulad ng aking binanggit, hindi naman po nagmo-monitor ang Pangulo para panoorin ito dahil marami pong meetings na inaatinan ng Pangulo. Kasama na po diyan ang EDC at marami pa pong mga pagpupulong,” Castro said.
She added that the alleged threat was not a new issue, recalling that President Marcos had already responded to the vice president's earlier remarks regarding an alleged conversation with an assassin.
“Itong pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo na isinagawa ng Vice Presidente, hindi na po ito bagong news. Matagal na po ito at nakita na rin po natin kung ano ang naging tugon ng Pangulo patungkol sa pagbabanta sa buhay niya sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-usap ng Vice Presidente sa isang assassin,” she said.
Castro further said that based on the Palace's understanding of Tuesday's impeachment proceedings, the vice president did not deny the allegation presented before the impeachment court.
“Nagkaroon ng hearing kahapon para patunayan ito sa ating pagkakaalam; hindi ito dini-deny ng Bise Presidente at ang kanyang depensa lamang dito ay freedom of expression. So, walang pagtanggi, walang pagpapasinungaling sa akusasyong totoo niyang pinagbantaan ang buhay ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
The Palace maintained that the issue of the alleged threat has already been publicly addressed and is now among the matters being tackled in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte.
