MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has arrived at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday, September 11, for her arraignment on three counts of grave threats involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Duterte’s appearance marks another major development in a case that has already triggered an arrest warrant, a P360,000 bail posting and a fresh legal challenge before the Supreme Court.
The arraignment is being held before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, where Duterte is expected to enter her plea to the three criminal charges.
From arrest warrant to arraignment
The case escalated on September 4, when Branch 98 issued a warrant of arrest after finding probable cause to proceed against Duterte. Bail was set at P120,000 for each count, or P360,000 for all three charges.
Duterte appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice the following day and posted the full P360,000 bail, resulting in the lifting of the arrest warrant.
During that appearance, Duterte repeatedly expressed concern for her safety, saying she did not trust the police or the court and feared for herself and her family. The Philippine National Police later said it had not identified any verified threat against Duterte or her family, while assuring her that security measures would be maintained.
What are the charges about?
The criminal case stems from Duterte’s controversial remarks during an online press briefing on November 23, 2024.
During the briefing, she said she had spoken with an individual and instructed that President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Romualdez be killed if she herself were assassinated.
Duterte has maintained that her remarks were taken out of context and has denied that she committed the crime alleged by prosecutors.
The Department of Justice subsequently pursued three counts of grave threats. The NBI had earlier investigated the matter and referred the complaints to prosecutors.
Duterte’s lawyers challenge court jurisdiction
The arraignment comes despite Duterte’s continuing legal challenge to the proceedings.
Her lawyers previously filed a motion to quash, arguing that the Quezon City court lacked jurisdiction to prosecute her while she remains an impeachable official facing an impeachment case before the Senate.
The trial court rejected the challenge, paving the way for the arrest warrant and subsequent court proceedings.
Duterte’s camp has now also brought the dispute before the Supreme Court, asking it to intervene in the grave-threat proceedings and questioning the lower court’s jurisdiction and the limits of procedural immunity for an incumbent impeachable official. Her lawyers have sought urgent action on their request for a temporary restraining order ahead of the scheduled proceedings.
The case could have consequences beyond the courtroom
The criminal case is unfolding alongside Duterte’s ongoing Senate impeachment trial, making today’s arraignment particularly significant.
The alleged threats against Marcos and the other officials are also among the accusations cited in the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Reuters reported that a conviction in the criminal case would add to Duterte’s already significant legal and political problems, while her impeachment case could affect both her position as vice president and her political ambitions for the 2028 presidential election.
The Marcos-Duterte political alliance that helped both families win power in 2022 has since fractured, turning the legal battle into another major flashpoint between two of the country’s most powerful political dynasties.
Security tightened as Duterte returns to court
Authorities have also prepared for heightened security around the Quezon City court.
The National Capital Region Police Office has assured that adequate security will be provided for Duterte during the proceedings, following her previous concerns about her safety.
Duterte’s supporters have also planned to gather outside the court, adding another layer of political attention to the proceedings.
For now, the arraignment represents a crucial procedural step: the criminal case moves forward while Duterte continues to challenge its legal foundation.
The bigger question is what comes after today’s plea.
With the criminal proceedings, the Supreme Court challenge and the Senate impeachment case all moving on separate tracks, Duterte’s legal and political battle is far from over—and the next court decisions could have consequences well beyond Branch 98.
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