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Philippine Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte Over Grave Threats

r/Politics •
Darom AI September 05, 2026
Philippine Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte Over Grave Threats
Philippine Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte Over Grave Threats

Quezon City Court Acts on Department of Justice Charges

A Quezon City regional trial court issued an arrest warrant on September 4, 2026, against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on three counts of grave threats, according to court records and legal representatives. Branch 98 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, presided over by Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos, found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial and denied her defense team's motion to defer or recall the warrant.

The Department of Justice confirmed that the case will now proceed to trial. Bail has been set at PHP120,000 for each of the three counts. The issuance of the warrant does not determine guilt, and the legal process moves forward as law enforcement agencies prepare to implement the court's directive.

Origins of the Grave Threats Case

The criminal proceedings stem from remarks made by Duterte during an online press briefing. During the broadcast, Duterte stated that she had spoken with an individual and instructed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez be targeted if she herself were killed.

Following an investigation, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice filed the grave threats charges, arguing that the public statements constituted serious and actionable threats against high-ranking government officials. Prosecutors determined there was sufficient evidence to substantiate the three counts under national legal statutes.

Defense Response and Legal Standing

Paul Lawrence Lim, counsel for the Vice President, confirmed receipt of the warrant and stated that Duterte has no intention of evading the law. The defense team previously sought to dismiss the complaints by arguing that criminal charges cannot properly be filed against an impeachable officer while in office, and maintained that they would pursue all available legal remedies to challenge the court's actions.

Legal analysts note that Duterte's camp can post bail immediately and may elevate challenges regarding the jurisdiction or the warrant itself to higher appellate tribunals, such as the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the executive branch stated that it respects the independence of the judicial process as the case transitions to the trial phase.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified
--- > **Claim:** A Quezon City regional trial court issued an arrest warrant on September 4, 2026, against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on three counts of grave threats. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Court records and legal representatives confirmed that Branch 98 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued the arrest warrant on September 4, 2026, covering three counts of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte. [pna.gov.ph](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283368) --- --- > **Claim:** Branch 98 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court is presided over by Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reports verify that Branch 98 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court is presided over by Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos (or Maria Angelica P. De Ramos), who found probable cause and denied the defense team's motion to defer or recall the warrant. [pna.gov.ph](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283368) --- --- > **Claim:** Bail has been set at PHP120,000 for each of the three counts of grave threats. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence confirms that the Department of Justice and court records established bail at ₱120,000 for each of the three counts, totaling ₱360,000. [pna.gov.ph](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283368) --- --- > **Claim:** The criminal proceedings stem from remarks made by Duterte during an online press briefing where she instructed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez be targeted if she were killed. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** News outlets and official case origins confirm the charges arose from an online press briefing statement where Duterte mentioned instructing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez be targeted if she were assassinated. [newsinfo.inquirer.net](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2299030/qc-court-issues-arrest-warrant-vs-sara-duterte-for-grave-threats-case-says-lawyer) --- --- > **Claim:** The National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice filed the grave threats charges following an investigation. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) jointly investigated and subsequently filed the grave threats charges against the Vice President. [philstar.com](https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/08/12/2548743/doj-files-grave-threats-case-vs-sara) --- --- > **Claim:** Paul Lawrence Lim, counsel for the Vice President, confirmed receipt of the warrant and stated that Duterte has no intention of evading the law. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Defense counsel Paul Lawrence Lim confirmed receipt of the warrant and public statements noting that Duterte will not evade the law while pursuing legal remedies. [newsinfo.inquirer.net](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2299030/qc-court-issues-arrest-warrant-vs-sara-duterte-for-grave-threats-case-says-lawyer) --- --- > **Claim:** The defense team previously sought to dismiss the complaints by arguing that criminal charges cannot properly be filed against an impeachable officer while in office. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Legal reports and defense filings note the legal strategy asserting that criminal charges cannot be properly filed against an impeachable officer during their term in office. [newsinfo.inquirer.net](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2287489/qc-court-to-tackle-vp-sara-dutertes-bid-to-dismiss-grave-threat-case) ---

AI Research Queries

  • 🔍 Sara Duterte" arrest warrant "Branch 98" "Maria Angelica De Ramos" Quezon City
  • 🔍 Sara Duterte" bail 120,000 grave threats Quezon City court
  • 🔍 Paul Lawrence Lim" Sara Duterte lawyer arrest warrant grave threats

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