Vice President Sara Duterte voluntarily surrendered and posted bail on Saturday after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for her arrest over three counts of grave threats, while raising concerns about her safety and that of her family.
The warrant was issued on Friday by QC RTC Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos with Duterte’s legal counsel, lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim, confirming the development and prompting the vice president to appear before the Quezon City Hall of Justice the following day.
Duterte posted bail before RTC Quezon City Branch 98, which served as the designated weekend court. The court set bail at P120,000 for each count, or P360,000 for the three charges.
After the court proceedings, Duterte said her decision to post bail was influenced by advice from her lawyers, who told her she could be better protected outside detention.
“Nakipag-usap sa akin ang aking mga abogado at pinayuhan nila akong magpiyansa sa halip na manatili sa hiwalay na pagkakakulong habang nasa kustodiya ng pulisya,” Duterte said.
She said her lawyers explained that civilians would be able to see and monitor her condition if she remained outside detention, which she said would provide greater protection than being isolated in police custody.
“Ipinaliwanag nila na mas maaari akong maprotektahan ng mga sibilyan na makakakita at makakapansin sa aking kalagayan, kumpara sa pananatili sa detensyon kung saan ako ay nakahiwalay at mas mahina ang proteksiyon,” she said.
Duterte also voiced fears for her own safety, telling reporters upon appearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice.
“I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako,” she said.
In a separate statement, she said she has documented threats and harassment dating back to 2023 and expressed concern over the safety of her children.
“I have documented threats and harrassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them,” she said.
Duterte also recounted that she had left the place where her children were staying to go to court, but police still went there.
“Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis,” Duterte said.
The vice president accused the government of continuing what she described as pressure and harassment against her since 2023.
“Mula pa noong 2023 ay patuloy na ang panggigipit at pangha-harass na ito mula sa gobyerno,” she said.
She said her concerns extend to her mother and children, whom she does not feel are safe if she remains with them.
“Hindi ko nararamdaman na ligtas ang aking ina at mga anak kung mananatili akong kasama nila, at labis akong nag-aalala para sa kanilang kaligtasan at kapakanan,” Duterte said.
Duterte also broadened her statement to include what she described as the concerns of ordinary Filipinos, particularly over their families, property and livelihoods.
“Ang aking pangamba ay siya ring pangamba ng nakararaming mamamayan. Hindi lamang kaligtasan ng kanilang pamilya, buhay at pagkatao ang kanilang ipinag-aalala, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang mga ari-arian at kabuhayan dahil sa kawalan ng sapat at tamang serbisyo publiko at talamak na kurapsyon,” she said.
When asked about her confidence in the country’s justice system, Duterte said she no longer trusts anyone except the Filipino people.
“Sabi ko nga, wala na akong tiwala kahit kanino maliban sa taong-bayan,” she said.
Meanwhile, her legal counsels, lawyers Paul Lawrence Lim, Clifford Chua, and Michael Wesley Poa, for the NBI grave threats cases said the bail proceedings were conducted routinely before RTC Branch 98.
The lawyers said the proceedings were completed without prejudice to jurisdictional issues. After receiving all required bail documents, the court issued an order lifting the arrest warrant.
“We thank everyone for their patience, professionalism and support today,” the counsels said.
Duterte’s court appearance capped a two-day legal development that began with the issuance of the arrest warrant on Friday and ended with the lifting of the warrant following her posting of bail on Saturday.
