VP Duterte faces arraignment for grave threats, supporters rally

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte is scheduled to appear before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 at 8:30 a.m. today for her arraignment on three counts of grave threats. A group of her supporters gathered outside the court to show their solidarity. Her spokesperson, lawyer Paolo Panelo Jr., earlier said the vice president would be physically present “as required by law.” The arraignment will formally inform Duterte of the charges against her and require her to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, after which the court’s proceedings will begin. She may also opt to refuse to enter a plea, which, as standard procedure, and the court will enter a not guilty plea on her behalf. The charges stem from Duterte’s remarks in November 2024, when she claimed to have contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed. The same remarks also constitute one of the Articles of Impeachment against her in the Senate. Duterte was ordered arrested over the charges on September 4 and posted a total of P360,000 in bail the following day. On Thursday, the vice president sought the Supreme Court’s relief to block the Quezon City court from proceeding with the case, arguing that she had immunity from suit as a sitting impeachable official. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo