Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has failed to appear for questioning over an alleged threat to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Duterte is in hot water for announcing last month that she had instructed an assassin to kill Marcos if she herself were killed.

Duterte was scheduled to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday to explain the remark. Instead, her lawyer submitted a letter denying she had made any threat.

The vice president told reporters she doesn't regret the remark, but that as a result she might be removed from office and that she is expecting to face a number of cases.

Duterte added she does not expect the investigation to be fair in light of what she called "biased pronouncements" from the president and a justice ministry official.

Duterte is a daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. She was Marcos' running mate in 2022, but their relationship has since turned acrimonious.