For the second time on Friday, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 postponed the arraignment of Vice President Sara Duterte on three counts of grave threats, stalling the legal process related to an online press conference conducted in November 2024.
Quezon City Court Postpones Arraignment Proceedings
The court set aside the scheduled proceeding after previously moving the date from September 11 to October 9. DZRH News reported that the vice president arrived at the Quezon City Hall of Justice at 8:27 a.m. Friday, where police and the Quezon City government’s Task Force Disiplina had cordoned off the area. Authorities observed vloggers, media members, and police personnel around the building, with no rallyists spotted early Friday morning.
DZRH News also noted that Duterte’s camp had previously filed motions asking Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos to inhibit herself from handling the case. These accusations arise from comments Duterte made during a November 2024 online press conference, in which she claimed she had engaged a hitman to go after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event of her own death.
Did You Know? The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued an arrest warrant against Duterte on September 4, and the vice president posted the required bail of P120,000 for each count the following day, according to court records. DZRH News additionally reported that the bail total reached ₱350,000 across all three counts.
Department of Justice Charges and Senate Impeachment Context
The Department of Justice filed the charges in August following a complaint referred by the National Bureau of Investigation in February of last year. The National Bureau of Investigation had initiated an investigation into the remarks after the online press conference aired, while the vice president has consistently denied the allegations.
Beyond the criminal court proceedings, the allegations regarding the supposed death threats form a key part of the case in Duterte’s ongoing Senate impeachment trial.
Quezon city court postpones vice president arraignment for second time
When was Vice President Sara Duterte scheduled to be arraigned?
The arraignment was initially scheduled for September 11, moved to October 9, and postponed for a second time on Friday by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98.
What specific remarks prompted the grave threats charges?
The legal action is based on statements from a November 2024 online press conference, where Duterte asserted she had hired a hitman to target former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if she were killed.
How much bail did the vice president post for the charges?
The court issued an arrest warrant on September 4, and Duterte posted bail of P120,000 for each count the following day, with DZRH News reporting a total of ₱350,000 for all three counts.
What further legal maneuvers might the defense employ to challenge the jurisdiction or handling of the grave threats case in the coming weeks?