Sara Duterte posts bail, cites safety concerns after arrest warrant

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said she opted to post bail as advised by her lawyers, deeming it safer than being placed under police custody following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her. She stated that she has been subjected to pressure and harassment by the administration since 2023. The arrest order was issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) on Friday in connection with charges of three counts of grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Her bail was set at P120,000 for each count. Duterte, accompanied by her legal counsel, appeared at the QC RTC Branch 98 early Saturday to post bail. She expressed her fears for her life to the media, saying, "My fears are shared by the majority of citizens. They worry, not only about the safety of their families, their lives and their dignity, but also about their property and livelihoods, given the lack of adequate public services and rampant corruption." Her legal team further advised that it would be best to be protected by civilians who can monitor her movements, rather than being isolated inside a detention cell where her security would be less guaranteed. Duterte also conveyed deep concern for the safety and well-being of her mother and children. These developments suggest a heightened political tension within the Philippines. The Vice President alluded to potential political persecution under the current administration, asserting that her concerns resonate with the anxieties of the wider populace.