The Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday, September 11, deferred the scheduled arraignment of Vice President Sara Duterte in her grave threats case after her legal team requested a postponement while the court reviews a pending motion.
Duterte personally attended the court session on Friday morning, accompanied by her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte.
Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, who represents the Vice President in the cases initiated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), confirmed that the court granted their request to hold off on proceeding with the arraignment.
“Dun sa mosyon naming na yun, hiniling namin na ipagpaliban muna yung kanyang arraignment dahil sa mga ilang dahilan at ito ay pinagbigyan ng korte,” Lim stated.
According to Lim, the court directed the prosecution and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit their comments within a specified timeline. Duterte’s defense team will subsequently be permitted to file a reply prior to the judge’s decision on the motion.
“Pansamantala, habang ito’y pinag-iisipan pa niya yung aming mosyon, hindi muna matutuloy ang arraignment, so suspended muna,” Lim added.
Lim declined to disclose the specific grounds or contents of the motion, emphasizing deference to the court and the legal process.
“Isa sa mga hiniling namin ay i-defer muna yung kanyang arraignment habang pinag-aaralan ng huwes yung motion,” Lim noted.
“Pinagbigyan naman niya yung pag-defer, so hindi muna ma-arraign ang ating Bise Presidente,” he reiterated.
In a brief interview with reporters, Duterte shared that she is relying entirely on her defense counsel and taking their guidance as they explore available legal options.
“Lahat ng legal remedies allowed by law yung ang ina-avail ng ating mga abogado at sumusunod lang ako sa kanila kung ano yung legal advice,” Duterte said.
Addressing her personal state, the Vice President expressed that her primary concern remains the safety of her family.
“I’m okay. Wala naman problema sa akin, basta protektado yung aking mga ina at mga anak, okay lang ako,” she shared.
Lim clarified that the arraignment did not proceed on Friday as the judge evaluates the defense motion while awaiting the required submissions from the DOJ and prosecutors.
The criminal case remains separate from Duterte’s petition before the Supreme Court challenging the jurisdiction of both the DOJ and the Quezon City RTC.