The House prosecution panel has asserted that Vice President Sara Duterte's remarks about arranging for a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and his family, even without a physical contract, constitute an impeachable offense.

House prosecutor Belle Zamora emphasized that the act of making such statements on November 23, 2024, represents a betrayal of public trust, high crimes, and a culpable violation of the Constitution.

The prosecution clarified that they are not prosecuting a criminal case but addressing constitutional violations, noting that the mere utterance of the threat is sufficient for impeachment.Defense arguments claimed the lack of concrete evidence, such as a written contract, undermines the case.However, Zamora countered that no criminal typically leaves a paper trail, and the absence of a contract does not negate the offense.Legal experts like Robert Ace Barbers added that assassins rarely leave written agreements, making proof challenging.

The case highlights the legal and political implications of verbal threats in the context of impeachment proceedings, underscoring the gravity of public trust violations in governance.