THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 has issued a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte after denying her motion to defer or quash the charges against her for lack of merit.
The court found probable cause to put her on trial for three counts of alleged grave threats in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act, setting bail at ₱120,000 for each count, totaling ₱360,000.
The case stems from an online press conference in late 2024, during which Duterte publicly stated she had instructed an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
Her statements came during an emotional outburst following a House committee order to transfer her chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, to the Correctional Institution for Women after being cited in contempt.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the criminal charges in August after prosecutors determined there was sufficient evidence for an indictment.
DOJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez affirmed the department’s commitment to the rule of law and stated the trial will now proceed.
Meanwhile, the presidential palace signaled non-interference, with Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro stating that Malacañang respects any court decision or order.
Duterte’s legal defense team previously argued that as an impeachable official, she should be immune from criminal prosecution while in office.
Despite these jurisdictional challenges, her lead counsel, Paul Lawrence Lim, confirmed receipt of the warrant and emphasized that the Vice President has no intention of evading the law while continuing to pursue all available legal remedies.
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Duterte’s camp intends to post bail as soon as possible, as grave threats remains a bailable offense under Philippine law.
Duterte has consistently denied wrongdoing, denouncing the legal proceedings as politically motivated amidst an ongoing political rift with her former 2022 electoral coalition partner, President Marcos.