VP Duterte's Camp Receives Arrest Warrant for Grave Threats, Plans Immediate Bail

The legal team of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has confirmed receipt of an arrest warrant issued against her for grave threats. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated on Friday that the Vice President's lawyers have received the warrant and intend to post bail as soon as possible. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has issued the arrest warrant against Duterte over three counts of grave threats. Bail has been set at P120,000 for each count, totaling P360,000. In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it "notes the Resolution issued today, 04 September 2026, by Branch 98 of the RTC of Quezon City denying the motion by the accused Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to defer or recall the warrant of arrest against her in the criminal case for grave threats." The DOJ added that "In the same Resolution, the Court found probable cause to hold the accused for trial on all three counts of Grave Threats and ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest." "The Department respects the Court’s ruling and reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law," the DOJ concluded. Duterte's lawyer, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, stated that the Vice President has no intention of evading the law. "Regardless of the question on jurisdiction, she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies," Lim said in a statement. The charges were filed in early August by the DOJ, which lodged three counts of grave threats against Duterte. These charges are reportedly related to remarks she made about hiring an individual to kill President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez, should an alleged plot against her succeed. Duterte's camp has since clarified that her "assassination" statement was not a direct threat, but rather an emphasis on an alleged threat to her security.