QC court issues arrest warrant vs VP Sara Duterte over grave threats case

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 04, 2026

Photo courtesy: Reuters

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 has issued a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte for three counts of grave threats, with bail set at P120,000 for each count.

The court said it found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial and ordered the issuance of the warrant. It also denied her motion seeking to defer or recall the arrest warrant and quash the charges.

The charges are for grave threats in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The case stems from Duterte’s remarks during an online press conference in November 2024, when she said she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed. Duterte has maintained that her statements were taken out of context.

Her camp had questioned the court’s jurisdiction and sought to have the case dismissed. Oral arguments on the issue were held in August.

Duterte’s lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim said the vice president has no intention of evading the law and will continue to pursue available legal remedies.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later said Duterte’s lawyers had received the warrant and intended to post bail as soon as possible. With three counts carrying P120,000 bail each, the total bail amounts to P360,000. As of the latest reports Friday evening, her camp had announced plans to post bail but no confirmed posting had yet been reported.

The issuance of an arrest warrant means the court found probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. It does not constitute a finding of guilt, and Duterte remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.