FACT CHECK: No Palace admission of assassination attempt against VP Sara - Rappler

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Claim: Malacañang admitted to an assassination attempt against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Why we fact-checked this: The claim was posted on September 7 by YouTube channel Jay Guevarra TV, which has over 500,000 followers. The video has gained more than 60,000 views, 371 comments, and 4,900 likes as of writing.

The video’s narrator says, “Palasyo umamin na sa tangkang pagpapapatay kay Vice President Sara Duterte noong nakaraang tangkang pag-aresto sa kanya.”

(The Palace has admitted to the attempted assassination of Vice President Sara Duterte during the previous attempt to arrest her.)

The narrator adds, “Inamin na nga ‘no, mismo sa bunganga nila mismo nanggaling na talagang may threat noong panahon na iyon, noong araw na iyon si VP Sara Duterte.”

(The Palace admitted — straight from their own mouths — that there was really a threat during that time, during that day against VP Sara Duterte.)

He also claimed that the supposed assassination attempt was a part of a larger plan that would eventually lead to the declaration of martial law.

The facts: No official government statement or credible media report confirms that the Palace admitted to supposedly ordering Duterte’s assassination. 

Throughout the misleading video, the vlogger also mentioned that he would present a clip from the Palace’s statement to back up his claim, but no such footage was shown.

Contrary to the claim, Malacañang has repeatedly denied allegations of security threats against the Vice President.

In a statement released on September 5, the Palace responded to Duterte’s remarks that she felt unsafe, saying that the police force would not be used as a weapon for any form of violence.

In a press briefing on September 7, Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Claire Castro added, “Noong atin pong nakausap mismo si [Philippine National Police chief] General [Jose Melencio] Nartatez [Jr.], at kahit naman po ang NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] Director Melvin Matibag ay nagsabi na wala po silang anumang record na sinasabing pagbabanta sa buhay ng Bise Presidente — wala pong record, wala pong pagsusumbong, wala pong reklamo.”

(When we spoke with General Nartatez, and even NBI Director Melvin Matibag said that they have no record of any so-called threats to the Vice President’s life — no record, no report, no complaint.) 

In the same briefing, Castro refuted statements made by Duterte that she had allegedly received information back in 2024 regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s alleged plans to “attack” her and secure an International Criminal Court warrant against her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Hindi po ito nabanggit ninuman o nabanggit man lang niya noong panahon na sinasabing siya ay inaatake noong 2024 pa. Wala rin po siyang nabanggit patungkol sa sinasabing threats way back 2023. Ngayon lang po ito nagsulputan,” she said.

(No one mentioned this — nor did anyone even bring it up — during the time she claimed to be under attack, even as early as 2024. She also made no mention of alleged threats dating back to 2023. These claims have only surfaced now.)

Castro also challenged the Vice President to show evidence to back up her remarks on supposed threats to her life. 

Arrest warrant vs VP Sara: The viral video was published a few days after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 released an arrest warrant against Duterte on September 4 related to her alleged assassination threats towards the Marcoses, as recorded in media reports and her own statements. (READ: Sara Duterte: If I get killed, so will Marcos, Liza Araneta, Romualdez) 

These grave threats allegations were the basis of the warrant against her, and are also part of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte in her ongoing impeachment trial.

Duterte appeared before the court on September 5 to post bail for her grave threats cases. Before entering the hall, she repeatedly said that she felt unsafe and didn’t trust the police and the personnel assigned to protect her. (READ MORE: The meltdown of Sara Duterte: From ‘no joke, no joke’ to ‘I do not feel safe’) 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later responded to Duterte’s statements, saying it was “very unfortunate that all the pressure in her life is affecting her perception” and that the Philippine National Police “accorded her all the respect her position deserves.”

Duterte has been claiming that there are security threats against her, a supposed plot called “Operation Romanov,” which is a reference to the execution of Russia’s last imperial family.

John Jerome Santos is a research and data volunteer writer at Rappler. He is a fourth year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student at the Dr. Gloria Lacson Foundation Colleges of Cabanatuan City.

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