Quezon City court orders arrest of Philippine Vice President Sara
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A Quezon City court has ordered the arrest of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez killed. Court documents cited by local media say the case involves three counts of grave threats, with bail set at 120,000 pesos for each count. Duterte's lawyer said she does not intend to evade the law and will continue to pursue all available legal remedies. The arrest order comes as she is already facing an impeachment trial in the Senate and separate allegations over the misuse of confidential funds during her time as vice president and education secretary.
Key Points
- The arrest order was issued by a court in Quezon City on September 4, according to reports from Philippine media carried by regional outlets.
- Prosecutors are pursuing three counts of grave threats, and the court set bail at 120,000 pesos for each charge.
- The case stems from a late-night press conference in November 2024, when Duterte allegedly said she had hired an assassin if she were killed.
- The alleged targets were Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and his cousin Martin Romualdez, who was then speaker of the House.
- Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, announced in February that she plans to run for president in 2028.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers tracking Southeast Asian politics, the case deepens instability at the top of the Philippines government, a close regional neighbour with extensive people-to-people and economic links across Asia. Because the criminal case can proceed alongside the Senate impeachment trial, Duterte now faces parallel legal and political tests that could reshape the 2028 presidential race.