She faces counts of grave threats as her battle with President Marcos intensifies ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
On Friday, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that she had received an arrest warrant in a case involving threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and people in his immediate circle.
RELATED:
Ten Years After Duterte’s Drug War Began, Rights Abuses Persist in the Philippines
“I confirm that I was served an arrest warrant dated Sept. 4, 2026, issued by Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos of Quezon City Court 98 and delivered by Philippine National Police Col. Christine Tabdi at the Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said in a statement reported by the outlet Philstar.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court had issued the warrant after determining that probable cause existed to put her on trial on three counts of grave threats, following its rejection of a request by the vice president to revoke or postpone the warrant.
Threats Against Marcos Amid Rift Between Dynasties
The case marks a new chapter in the confrontation between the leaders of the two dominant political dynasties in the Philippines, the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
In November 2024, the vice president warned that, if she were assassinated, she had already hired someone to kill President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Although Duterte later argued that her words had been taken out of context, prosecutors filed three counts of grave threats. Her statements came amid a deepening rift between the vice president and Marcos Jr., who ran together in the 2022 elections. Duterte resigned as education secretary in June 2024 and left the government.
WATCH: National Bureau of Investigation operatives arrive in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court amid the warrant of arrest issued against Vice President Sara Duterte. |
: Arnel Tacson via @JEMendozaINQ
Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/cDxi8DgURD pic.twitter.com/uLiNCrU4Vo
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 4, 2026
Will She Be Detained?
Although the arrest warrant is already in effect, Duterte could avoid remaining in detention if she posts the relatively low bail set by the court at 120,000 Philippine pesos (US$1,900) for each of the three charges. In total, she would have to pay 360,000 pesos (US$5,700).
The warrant does not mean she has been found guilty. It responds to the court’s decision that probable cause exists to put her on trial. Her detention would be legally possible because the office of vice president does not grant immunity from criminal proceedings.
Duterte could be released on bail while the criminal case continues, proceeding in parallel with the impeachment trial she faces in the Senate, a separate process that could carry severe consequences.
A Decisive Impeachment
The arrest warrant against Sara adds questions about her political future, which was already under threat. In February, the Philippine House of Representatives approved initiating impeachment proceedings against her in the Senate over several allegations, including abuse of power, corruption and threats against the president.
The Senate’s verdict, expected before the end of the year, could result in the vice president’s removal from office and a lifetime ban from holding public office. If that happens, she would not be able to participate in the presidential elections scheduled for 2028.
Under the rules governing the process, which has been marred by the arrests of senators, a two-thirds majority of the upper chamber is required to disqualify Duterte from holding public office, while an acquittal requires only nine votes, exactly the number of votes of support the vice president has in the Senate.
Duterte is one of the leading figures seeking to run for president of the Philippines in 2028, when Marcos Jr. will not be eligible for reelection because the Constitution limits the presidential term to six years and does not allow a second term in office.
A potential disqualification would thwart Duterte’s presidential ambitions, while an acquittal would allow her to enter the electoral race with the political proceedings behind her and, likely, strengthened.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.