Malacañang has challenged Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp to produce verifiable evidence concerning “Operation Romanov,” a supposed assassination plot against her family.
The Palace emphasized that the executive branch cannot launch an official investigation into allegations that completely lack supporting details.
The statement follows the third day of the Vice President’s Senate impeachment trial, where her defense lawyers cited the alleged plot to defend her highly criticized remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez. The defense argued that Duterte’s statements were driven by legitimate fears for her family’s safety.
However, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro maintained that the burden of proof lies solely on the Vice President’s camp.
“Unang-una, sino ang nagbanggit ng ‘Oplan Romanov?’ Hindi ba nasa partido ng Bise Presidente? Hindi ba siya ang dapat na magbigay ng mga ebidensiya patungkol dito at hindi ang Palasyo?” Castro remarked.
Castro also pointed out that Duterte previously declined to cooperate when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sought details regarding the reported threats.
“Binigyan siya ng pagkakataon. Sinulatan siya ng NBI para malaman ang mga sinasabing death threats sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya, pero hindi siya tumugon,” she explained, adding, “Ano ang gagawin ng ehekutibo kung wala namang maiimbestigahan dahil walang anumang detalyeng ibinibigay ng nag-aakusa patungkol sa Oplan Romanov?”
The Palace further rejected the notion that maternal instincts or security concerns justify making threats against the nation’s leader.
“Ang pagbabanta ay pagbabanta, sino ka man. Nagbanta ka sa buhay ng Pangulo, kahit ikaw ay isang nanay, ikaw ay isang Bise Presidente, walang pagkakaiba iyon. Nagbanta ka pa rin sa buhay ng Pangulo,” Castro asserted.
Additionally, Malacañang denied claims that the NBI probe is politically driven, with Castro affirming that the bureau is simply fulfilling its independent duty to investigate criminal conduct.
“Buong mundo ang nakakita ng pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo, ni First Lady at ni dating House Speaker. Mandato ng NBI na imbestigahan ito,” she said.
The Senate impeachment court is currently trying the Vice President on several charges, including grave threats stemming from her November 2024 public statement that she had hired an assassin to eliminate the President, the First Lady, and the former House Speaker if she were to be killed first.