Philippine Court Orders Arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte
A court in Manila issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday. The charges against her include publicly threatening the president and two other individuals with assassination.
These charges are not new for Duterte, as she was impeached by the House of Representatives in May for similar accusations, including financial misconduct. This legal battle is seen as part of a significant political conflict with her rival, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. A conviction could prevent her from pursuing a presidential run in 2028.
Duterte’s legal counsel has indicated that she intends to post bail to avoid jail time while her case is processed by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
“She has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies,” stated Paul Lawrence Lim, her lawyer.
The accusations originate from a 2024 online news conference where Duterte allegedly threatened to have Marcos, his wife, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she herself was harmed. Duterte later clarified that her comments were not threats but concerns for her safety, prompting a criminal investigation.
Duterte and Marcos were once political allies, having run together in the 2022 elections. However, their alliance quickly deteriorated.
The vice president is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He is currently detained in The Hague facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign that resulted in numerous deaths.
The House of Representatives, largely supportive of Marcos, voted for Duterte’s impeachment over alleged financial irregularities and her threats. Her trial commenced in July, broadcasted on national television by the Philippine Senate acting as an impeachment court.
If found guilty, Duterte faces permanent disqualification from holding public office, ending any aspirations for the presidency in 2028.
Marcos and the Duterte family have divergent foreign policy views. Marcos has strengthened ties with the United States amid tensions with China over the South China Sea. In contrast, Rodrigo Duterte fostered relationships with China and Russia, often at the expense of U.S. relations. The vice president has faced criticism for her perceived silence on China’s aggressive maritime actions.
