VP Duterte Arraigned for Grave Threats Case

Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday for her arraignment in connection with the grave threats case filed against her. Her spokesperson, lawyer Paolo Panelo Jr., had earlier confirmed her physical presence as required by law. The arraignment formally kicks off the proceedings in the case. Duterte will be formally informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. She may also refuse to enter a plea, prompting the court to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf as standard procedure. The vice president is charged with three counts of grave threats in relation to her November 2024 remarks, where she allegedly stated she had tapped an individual to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed. Duterte was ordered arrested over the grave threats charges by the Quezon City court on September 4, posting a P360,000 bail a day later. She also faces an impeachment case before the Senate over the same remarks. Last Thursday, she challenged the case before the Supreme Court, asserting her immunity as a sitting impeachable official and seeking relief from the case.