Vice President Sara Duterte secured her release on bail on Saturday, September 5, after appearing before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 to address three counts of grave threats, successfully lifting the arrest warrant against her.
Her legal counsel, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, confirmed that Duterte posted ₱120,000 per charge, totaling ₱360,000 in cash bond. Lim noted that standard booking procedures were bypassed because bail was processed directly with the issuing court.
The bail process occurred a day after the court found probable cause to proceed to trial and ordered her arrest. Duterte arrived at the Quezon City Hall of Justice alongside Lim and co-counsel Atty. Michael Poa, though she hesitated for roughly an hour before entering the building.
Security Concerns Raised
Prior to entering the courtroom, the Vice President voiced intense fear regarding her personal safety and mistrust toward law enforcement and the judiciary.
“I do not really feel safe. Wala akong tiwala sa korte, wala akong tiwala sa pulis,” Duterte said.
Duterte revealed that she has been documenting threats and harassment since 2023, emphasizing deep concern for her family’s safety.
“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.
She questioned who would assume accountability should harm come to her.
“I do not feel safe. I do not feel safe in my own country,” she said.
Furthermore, she condemned what she characterized as ongoing intimidation targeting her relatives.
“Hindi ko maiintindihan. Alam naman nila kung nasaan ako, alam naman nila na wala ako doon kung nasaan yung nanay at mga anak ko so bakit pa i-harass yung pamilya? Dun pa lang, nakikita mo na yung threat,” she added.
Throughout her arrival, her legal team reassured her of their continuous support and commitment to exhausting all available judicial remedies.
Background of the Charges
The Department of Justice filed three counts of grave threats against Duterte in early August, stemming from public statements where she claimed to have contracted an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if a supposed plot against her succeeded.
Duterte previously sought to dismiss the case by filing a motion to quash, asserting that as an impeachable officer, she enjoys limited procedural immunity under the 1987 Constitution. Following oral arguments, the court determined there was sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial.
Duterte maintains that her statements were “maliciously taken out of logical context”. The criminal case is distinct from, yet overlaps with, one of the four articles of impeachment currently filed against her before the Senate.