Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures during a press briefing, September 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday skipped for the second time a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hearing on her alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Duterte’s lawyer arrived at the NBI headquarters in her stead and confirmed that she would not attend the probe.  

On Monday, Duterte said her lawyers told her that could just submit a letter or affidavit to the NBI.

“So hindi din ako makapunta kasi unang-una na yan. Tapos pangalawa, meron kaming thanksgiving ng mga activities sa December 11, at pangatlo after yung thanksgiving activities namin ay pauwi din ako dito sa Davao City,” she told reporters.

NBI issues new subpoena vs Sara Duterte

The NBI subpoenaed Duterte to shed light on her statement that she had instructed that Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos be killed should an alleged plot to kill her succeed.

The hearing was initially set on Nov. 29, but the agency moved it to Dec. 11, Wednesday on Duterte’s request due to a conflict in schedule.     

Ex-Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles goes to NBI over VP Duterte probe

Last week, Duterte scheduled a Christmas lunch with reporters covering the Office of the Vice President on Dec. 11.

The Department of Justice earlier said that it would use the full force of law to probe the statements of the Vice President, which the administration described as a “national security issue.”

NBI to probe VP Sara Duterte's threats vs Marcos even if she skips hearing again

Duterte said her statement was taken out of context. She said the "revenge" plot had a specific condition before it could be put into motion: that she had to die first.

She added that her remark "does not constitute to an active threat."

"Common sense should be enough for us to understand and accept that a supposed conditional act of revenge does not constitute to an active threat. This is plan without a flesh," the Vice President previously said.