QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s arrest warrant in connection with three counts of grave threats was lifted after she voluntarily appeared before a Quezon City court and posted a total of P360,000 in bail.
The development ended the immediate enforcement of the warrant against the Vice President, but it did not dismiss the criminal case. Duterte is still expected to face trial after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court found probable cause to proceed with the charges.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued the arrest warrant after determining that there was sufficient basis to hold Duterte for trial over the three grave threats charges.
P120,000 Bail for Each Count
According to the court order, Duterte posted P120,000 bail for each of the three counts, bringing the total amount to P360,000.
After the bail requirements were completed, the court issued an order lifting the arrest warrant.
Duterte’s lawyer, Paul Lawrence Lim, presented a copy of the court order to the media. The court also acknowledged several documents submitted as part of the bail process, including a barangay certification, photographs, an affidavit of undertaking, Duterte’s profile, a sketch and vicinity map of her residence, and a copy of her PhilHealth ID.
Duterte Considered to Have Voluntarily Surrendered
Duterte personally went to the Quezon City Hall of Justice on September 5, a day after the warrant was issued.
Her lawyer Michael Poa said the Vice President was considered to have surrendered as she appeared before the court to comply with the legal process and post bail.
Reports from GMA News said Duterte underwent procedures connected with the bail process, including fingerprinting. Her lawyers also said that no traditional police mugshot was taken.
Duterte expressed concerns about her security during her court appearance and said she did not feel safe. Authorities, meanwhile, maintained that her position was treated with appropriate respect during the implementation of court procedures.
What Are the Grave Threats Charges Against Sara Duterte?
The Department of Justice filed three counts of grave threats against Duterte in early August over remarks linked to a November 2024 online press conference.
The case centers on statements in which Duterte allegedly said she had arranged for someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
The Quezon City court later ruled that there was probable cause to hold Duterte for trial. Duterte has disputed the accusations and previously argued that her statements had been taken out of their proper context.
Her legal team has also raised questions regarding jurisdiction and argued that impeachable officials have limited procedural immunity while in office. However, the court proceeded with the criminal case and issued the arrest warrant before Duterte posted bail.
Arrest Warrant Lifted — But the Criminal Case Continues
The lifting of Duterte’s arrest warrant should not be mistaken for the dismissal of the charges.
An arrest warrant can be lifted after an accused person submits to the court’s jurisdiction and complies with bail requirements in a bailable offense. Duterte now remains subject to the continuing proceedings in the grave threats case.
International news agencies Reuters and The Associated Press likewise reported that Duterte posted P360,000 bail following the court’s arrest order and emphasized that the case represents another major legal challenge for the Vice President.
Separate From the Impeachment Proceedings
The grave threats case is also separate from the impeachment proceedings involving Duterte.
According to the House prosecution panel’s legal spokesperson, the criminal case and impeachment process deal with different legal questions. The criminal case concerns possible criminal liability, while impeachment proceedings focus on whether an official remains fit to hold office.
However, the alleged threats against Marcos, the First Lady and Romualdez have also been cited in one of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, making the issue significant on both the criminal and political fronts.
Political Rift Adds to the Significance of the Case
The latest court developments come against the backdrop of the increasingly bitter political split between the Marcos and Duterte camps.
Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the 2022 national elections, but their alliance later collapsed amid growing disagreements and political tensions.
Reuters and AP noted that Duterte’s legal challenges have added another dimension to the rivalry between two of the Philippines’ most powerful political families, with the grave threats case carrying possible implications for her political future as the country moves closer to the next presidential election cycle.
What Happens Next?
With the arrest warrant now lifted, attention turns to the next stage of Duterte’s criminal case.
The Vice President is no longer facing immediate arrest under the warrant that was issued in this case after posting bail and complying with the court’s requirements. But the charges themselves remain pending, and the legal proceedings will continue.
The case is expected to remain closely watched not only because Duterte is the sitting Vice President, but also because it unfolds alongside impeachment proceedings and an intensifying political divide that could shape the country’s political landscape in the years ahead.
The warrant may have been lifted, but Sara Duterte’s legal battle is clearly not over.
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