MANILA — Malacañang said it is up to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the allegations made by Ramil Madriaga that former President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly plotted an assassination—or coup—against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the matter should be handled by the proper investigating authorities, noting that threats against the President were not new.

“Hindi na nga po na bago ito, ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo. sinimulan na nga po ito ng Bise Presidente, nadinig na rin po natin si Mayor Baste Duterte. So, hindi na po kailangang mag-utos ng Pangulo para imbestigahan ito,” Castro said.

“Ang NBI po, kayo po ay nakatalagang mag-imbestiga sa mga ganitong klaseng death threats sa Pangulo at kahit sinumang ordinaryong tao, mayroon po kayong obligasyon na imbestigahan ito,” she added.

Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already been informed of Madriaga’s statements, but expressed surprise over the claims, adding that the President remains focused on completing his term.

“Ang Pangulo po ay nangampanya sa taumbayan, nangako na maglilingkod sa taumbayan, at nangakong tatapusin ang kaniyang termino para sa bayan,” she said.

The allegations were raised during House justice committee proceedings linked to the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, where Madriaga claimed that a supposed 2021 meeting involved discussions of a term-sharing arrangement and political transition plans.

The Vice President’s camp has denied the allegations, calling them “pure fiction” and unsupported by evidence.

Her legal counsel Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. also dismissed the claims, including alleged assassination plots and ouster plans, saying they were “not even remotely believable.”