ARREST WARRANT ISSUED VS. VP SARA DUTERTE OVER GRAVE THREATS CASE

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with the grave threats case filed against her.

The warrant covers three counts of grave threats allegedly committed through cyberspace under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Bail was set at ₱120,000 for each count, according to reports.

The charges stem from Duterte's controversial statements during an online press briefing in 2024 in which she claimed that she had arranged for individuals to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez should she herself be killed.

The Department of Justice filed the criminal case in August 2026, following an investigation into the alleged threats. The case involves three separate counts of grave threats under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Duterte's legal team had earlier asked the Quezon City court to defer or recall the arrest warrant and dismiss the charges, arguing that the court's jurisdiction over a sitting impeachable official was a serious constitutional issue.

Following the issuance of the warrant, Duterte's lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim said the Vice President has no intention of evading the law and will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to her.

The criminal case comes as Duterte is also facing an impeachment trial before the Senate, making the latest court development another major legal challenge for the Vice President.

Duterte remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.