Philippine court orders arrest of VP Duterte over President Marcos threats
Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team is blocking prosecution efforts to call her to the witness stand in a confidential funds case, citing her constitutional right against self-incrimination. This legal clash follows her posting bail for grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos. While House prosecutors have dropped 15 remaining witnesses to focus on the Vice President, trial court judges have issued a public reminder that they must perform their duties without fear following harassment from Duterte supporters.
What changed
Duterte's legal team has formally invoked the right against self-incrimination to avoid testifying in her impeachment trial.
Live updates
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VP Duterte invokes right against self-incrimination as impeachment trial advances
Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team is blocking prosecution efforts to call her to the witness stand in a confidential funds case, citing her constitutional right against self-incrimination. This legal clash follows her posting bail for grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos. While House prosecutors have dropped 15 remaining witnesses to focus on the Vice President, trial court judges have issued a public reminder that they must perform their duties without fear following harassment from Duterte supporters.
Why it matters
The conflict reflects a breakdown in the alliance between the Marcos and Duterte political families. It involves simultaneous legal battles over public fund misuse and alleged assassination threats.
What is confirmed
- House prosecutors dropped 15 witnesses in the confidential funds case to prioritize calling Vice President Sara Duterte to the stand.
- The defense team for Sara Duterte argues that testifying would violate her constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Still unconfirmed
- Martin Romualdez faces arrest over the alleged misuse of 7.4 billion pesos in flood control funds.
- President Marcos and Vice President Duterte both fear the other intends to kill them.
- Trial court judges faced trolling from supporters of Sara Duterte.
What to watch next
- Court ruling on whether the Vice President must testify despite her self-incrimination claim
- Updates on the graft investigation involving Martin Romualdez
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.businesstimes.com.sg — Marcos’ kin faces arrest over graft as Philippine tensions rise
- newsinfo.inquirer.net — Judges speak out after peer got trolled by Sara Duterte diehards
- cebudailynews.inquirer.net — Impeachment trial: Prosecution skips 15 witnesses, wants VP Sara on stand
- politiko.com.ph — Witness Stand Showdown: Sara Duterte Camp Invokes Constitutional Right Against Self-Incrimination
- www.philstar.com — Sara, BBM fear that one wants to kill the other
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Philippine VP Duterte Posts Bail Following Threat Arrest Warrant
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail at a Manila courthouse following an arrest warrant issued by a Quezon City court over grave threats complaints. The warrant stems from allegations that Duterte made public threats to arrange the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos. Current and former lawmakers rejected her portrayal of herself as a victim, demanding she face accountability. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured authorities would verify security concerns raised by Duterte after she expressed distrust in law enforcement.
Why it matters
The legal action against Vice President Sara Duterte occurs within three days of Philippine courts issuing arrest warrants for two major figures from the 2022 winning coalition that brought President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to power. The second warrant targets former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is Marcos's cousin, though the respective cases remain unrelated. These developments highlight a growing political fracture between the president and key political allies who previously united during the election.
What is confirmed
- Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail at a Manila courthouse after a Quezon City court issued an arrest warrant over alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos.
- PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered a security threat assessment and assured verification of security concerns raised by Duterte.
- Current and former lawmakers urged Duterte to face accountability and rejected her portrayal of herself as a victim.
- Philippine courts issued arrest warrants within three days against Vice President Sara Duterte and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in unrelated cases.
What to watch next
- Further court proceedings regarding the grave threats case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
- Results of the Philippine National Police threat assessment ordered for Duterte.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.philstar.com — ‘Hindi ka biktima’: VP Sara Duterte urged to face accountability amid threats case
- www.thestar.com.my — Veep Duterte posts bail
- www.sunstar.com.ph — Nartatez assures verification of security concerns raised by Sara Duterte
- www.econotimes.com — Sara Duterte Posts Bail Over Grave Threats Case
- thedeepdive.ca — Philippine Courts Order Arrests of Vice President, Ex-House Speaker
- bnc.bilyonaryo.com — PNP chief orders threat assessment for VP Sara
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Philippine VP Sara Duterte arrested, posts bail over Marcos threats
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was arrested and posted bail after a court issued a warrant for her arrest over alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos. Duterte was charged with making public threats to arrange Marcos' assassination. She claimed to have hired a hitman to kill the president at a news briefing.
Why it matters
The arrest warrant and subsequent bail posting are part of an ongoing legal battle that threatens Duterte's 2028 presidential bid. The case is separate from an impeachment trial that has reached its 10th week. The feud between Duterte and Marcos is escalating, with Duterte expressing fears for her life.
What is confirmed
- A Philippine court issued a warrant for the arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos.
- Sara Duterte posted bail after her arrest on charges of making public threats to arrange President Marcos' assassination.
- The case against Duterte is separate from her ongoing impeachment trial.
- Duterte claimed to have hired a hitman to kill President Marcos at a news briefing.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the impeachment trial against Sara Duterte
- Duterte's 2028 presidential bid
- Further developments in the feud between Duterte and Marcos
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (18)
- The New York Times — Philippines’ Vice President Faces Arrest Over Assassination Threats
- NPR — Philippine vice president is ordered arrested for threats against the president
- Reuters — Philippine court issues warrant for VP Duterte's arrest in grave threats case
- Inquirer.net — Arrest warrant issued vs Sara Duterte over grave threats
- Al Jazeera — Philippine court orders arrest of VP Duterte over President Marcos threats
- Inquirer.net — WATCH INQToday: Arrest warrant vs Sara, inflation eases to 6.1%
- ABS-CBN — Sara Duterte faces arrest warrant for grave threats case
- Inquirer.net — Can Vice President Sara Duterte be arrested?
- Time Magazine — Philippines' Vice President Sara Duterte Faces Arrest Over Alleged Grave Threat to President Marcos
- WRAL — Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte posts bail after arrest for alleged threats against Marcos
- NPR — Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte posts bail after arrest
- Reuters — Philippine VP Duterte posts bail after arrest order for alleged grave threats