Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday posted bail at a Quezon City court following an arrest warrant issued against her over threats she made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
But a supposedly simple posting of bail became a short drama as the vice president reluctantly entered the court, claiming that she feared for her life.
Duterte claimed that she did not feel safe with the police, inside the courthouse, or even with her security detail, alleging that they were assigned to her by the Marcos administration.
She also asked a question that emphasized her greatest concern: “Who will answer for it if I die later tonight? Who will be held accountable?”
‘I want a lot of people to see it’
Duterte’s appearance before the court came after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued an arrest warrant, finding probable cause to proceed with three grave-threat charges.
On Friday, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued the arrest warrant against Duterte, finding probable cause to proceed with three grave-threat charges.
The case arose from remarks Duterte made during an online press conference in November 2024, when she said Marcos, Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez would be killed if her own life were taken.
The court placed the bail at PHP120,000 for each count. Duterte eventually secured her provisional liberty after posting PHP360,000 in bail.
But the process of posting bail took a lot longer than it should have, as Duterte first spoke with journalists, asking them to accompany her inside the courthouse as she aired her concerns and fears about being placed in the same room as police officers carrying firearms.
Her lawyers eventually persuaded Duterte to proceed and later shared that she was advised to remain in public view so she could be protected rather than being placed in police custody, where she would be isolated.
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Duterte also fears for her family
The vice president also claimed that since 2023, she had experienced harassment and pressure, saying authorities had gone to places where her mother and children were staying.
In a statement released by her office, Duterte said she feared for her children and questioned whether they were safe while she was with them.
Is there really a threat against the VP’s life?
As the vice president claimed that she was in danger, the Philippine National Police denied her claims that she faced an immediate threat.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said there were no reports of any threat to her life or to the safety of her family.
He also said authorities had not monitored any verified threat against the vice president or her family.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities knew Duterte’s whereabouts before the warrant was served but claimed that they did not force the arrest.
In addition, police also wore body cameras that documented the serving of the warrant and the vice president’s arrival at the courthouse.
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