A Quezon City regional trial court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte regarding a grave threats case, which her lawyer confirmed. The court found probable cause to proceed to trial and set bail at 120,000 pesos for each of three counts of grave threats. The charges stem from November 2024 remarks where Duterte stated she had instructed a hired assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and his cousin, who was then the House speaker, if Duterte were killed. Judges denied her legal team’s motion to defer the warrant.
Duterte’s lawyer stated she does not intend to evade the law and will pursue all available legal remedies, including challenging the court’s jurisdiction. The same remarks are also part of a separate impeachment complaint against Duterte being heard by the Philippine Senate, resulting in parallel criminal and political proceedings.