Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail at a Quezon City court for a warrant of arrest for three counts of grave threats over her controversial remarks in 2024.
Accompanied by her lawyers, Duterte showed up at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 on Saturday morning, Sept. 5.
The court set bail at ₱120,000 for each count, for a total of ₱360,000.
The court then issued an order lifting the warrant of arrest after she posted bail, her lawyers said.
“Sinabi nila sa akin… mas mapoprotektahan ka ng taumbayan kung nakikita ka nila sa labas,” Duterte said, quoting her lawyers.
[Translation: They told me… the public can better protect you if they see you outside.]
She said her lawyers also warned her to keep the court order with her.
“Ilagay ko raw itong papel sa aking bulsa dahil marami daw mga kaso na kahit na-lift na yung warrant ay hinaharass pa rin at hinuhuli ng pulis,” Duterte said.
[Translation: They told me to keep this paper in my pocket because there are many cases where, even after a warrant has been lifted, people are still harassed and arrested by the police.]
The vice president said she did not feel safe with the police securing the court.
She also accused authorities of surveilling and following her since 2023.
“Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako,” Duterte said in an earlier statement.
[Translation: I feel like they are going to kill me.]
“I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them,” she said.
[Translation: I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them.]
Duterte also questioned the security arrangements outside the court.
“Naalala mo ba si Ninoy Aquino, namatay sa hagdanan? ’Di ba sa sobrang dami ng baril dito ngayon, bakit kailangan ng gap? Bakit kailangan ilayo ang taumbayan?” she said.
[Translation: Do you remember Ninoy Aquino, who died on the stairs? With so many guns here now, why is there a need for a gap? Why do you need to keep the people away?]
She also criticized the Marcos administration and said she no longer trusted anyone.
“Wala na ako tiwala kahit kanino maliban sa taumbayan,” Duterte said.
[Translation: I no longer trust anyone except the Filipino people.]
The grave threats case stems from an online briefing in November 2024.
Duterte said at the time that she had instructed someone to kill President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
The Department of Justice filed the charges in August after prosecutors found sufficient evidence to indict Duterte.
On Friday, Sept. 4, Quezon City RTC Branch 98 found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial and issued the warrant of arrest.
On the same day, the court denied Duterte’s motion to defer or recall the arrest warrant and quash the case.
Duterte is also facing an impeachment trial that includes allegations related to the same grave threats against the Marcos family.
Meanwhile, House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon took issue with Duterte’s safety concerns.
“Sinong mananagot? Kayo po, Madam Vice President, ang kailangang managot at sumagot sa mga alegasyong kinakaharap ninyo,” Ridon said.
[Translation: Who will be held accountable? You, Madam Vice President, need to be accountable and answer for the allegations you are facing.]
He said Duterte should face the legal process instead of questioning the case through public statements.
“Tama na po ang drama. Wala naman pong grave threats case ngayon kung hindi dahil sa mga pahayag na naging batayan ng kasong isinampa laban sa inyo,” Ridon said.
[Translation: Enough with the drama. There would be no grave threats case now if not for the statements that became the basis of the case filed against you.]
Meanwhile, Rep. Omar Duterte, the vice president’s nephew, defended her and called the arrest warrant political harassment.
“Nakita na natin ang ganitong pamamaraan noon. Ginawa na nila ito kay PRRD, kay Tatay Digong. Ginamit nila ang kapangyarihan at ang batas para siraan at gipitin siya,” he said.
[Translation: We have seen this kind of approach before. They did this to PRRD, to Father Digong. They used their power and the law to malign and pressure him.]
He accused the administration of using its power to silence the vice president.
The vice president’s legal team said the bail process was completed routinely at Branch 98, which served as the assigned weekend court.
