MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida expressed concern over Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement that she does not feel safe, while assuring that law-enforcement agencies remain ready to protect her and other Filipinos.
Vida made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, after Duterte repeatedly raised concerns about her personal security following her appearance before a Quezon City court in connection with the grave threats case filed against her.
“Nakakalungkot” that the country’s second-highest official feels unsafe, Vida said during a press briefing, while stressing that he would not speculate about the reasons behind Duterte’s concerns.
He emphasized that law-enforcement agencies are prepared to perform their duties—not only to secure the Vice President but also to protect the public.
“Nakakalungkot pero patuloy naman po pinapatotohanan ng ating iba’t ibang law enforcement agencies na sila ay handa at gaganap sa kanilang tungkulin para ma-secure hindi lamang ang ating vice president, kundi lahat ng Pilipino,” Vida said.
Sara Duterte: “I do not feel safe”
Duterte’s concerns became public after she appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on September 5 to post bail following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her.
She told reporters that she had documented what she described as threats and harassment dating back to 2023 and said she was worried about the safety of her children.
Duterte also said she feared that she could be killed, even while surrounded by security personnel.
She ultimately posted ₱360,000 in bail, with the court setting bail at ₱120,000 for each of the three counts of grave threats.
PNP says no verified threat has been reported
The Philippine National Police, however, has offered a different perspective.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Duterte had not formally reported to the police any threat against herself or her family. He added that the PNP had also not monitored any verified threat against the Vice President or her family.
Nartatez nevertheless said the police had taken note of her concerns and remained open to receiving any documents or reports regarding the alleged threats. He also said police provided security during Duterte’s appearance to post bail and that she was able to arrive and leave safely.
The Palace similarly said government security agencies had no records, complaints or reports indicating a threat against Duterte’s life.
Vida: Trust the legal process
Beyond the security issue, Vida also defended the DOJ’s decision to pursue the grave-threats case.
He urged the public to trust government institutions and the legal processes being followed, while emphasizing that accused persons and respondents retain their legal rights.
The Justice secretary also rejected allegations of “selective justice.”
According to Vida, people who violate the law must face the consequences of their actions, regardless of their position.
Why is Sara Duterte facing a grave-threats case?
The case stems from Duterte’s November 2024 online briefing, during which she said she had arranged for an individual to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
Duterte has maintained that her remarks were taken out of context and has denied that they constituted a criminal threat.
The National Bureau of Investigation initially filed complaints for grave threats and inciting to sedition before the DOJ. The DOJ later pursued the grave-threats charges, while the sedition complaint was dismissed.
On September 4, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial on three counts of grave threats and issued the arrest warrant.
Reuters and Associated Press likewise reported that the warrant marked a major escalation in the increasingly bitter political conflict between the Marcos and Duterte camps.
The legal battle is far from over
Duterte’s grave-threats case is unfolding alongside her Senate impeachment trial, where the alleged threats against Marcos, his wife and Romualdez also form part of the allegations against her.
The DOJ, however, has repeatedly maintained that the criminal proceedings and the impeachment process are separate legal processes. Vida had previously explained that the impeachment process concerns accountability of an impeachable official, while the DOJ proceedings deal with possible criminal liability under existing laws.
Vida also reiterated on Thursday the DOJ’s position that the President is the only official with immunity from suit while in office, a position that has been central to the government’s response to Duterte’s jurisdictional arguments.
What happens next?
For now, the central issue remains whether Duterte’s allegations of threats and harassment can be substantiated, while the criminal case against her proceeds through the courts.
The government says its law-enforcement agencies are prepared to provide security. Duterte, meanwhile, has continued to express distrust toward authorities and concern for her safety.
That leaves a politically charged question hanging over the case: Can the government assure the Vice President that she is safe while simultaneously prosecuting her in a case involving alleged threats against the country’s top officials?
For a news report, it is important to distinguish Duterte’s allegations of threats from the government’s statement that no verified threat has been reported or detected. Neither claim should be presented as an established fact beyond the evidence currently available.
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