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🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Philippine Vice-President Duterte Posts Bail Over ‘Grave Threats’ Against Marcos

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte posted bail at a Manila courthouse after an arrest warrant was issued over alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and two relatives.
  • Duterte faces a criminal charge of grave threats and an impeachment trial that could remove her from office and bar her from seeking the presidency in 2028.
  • Her lawyer said she voluntarily appeared in court, while Duterte said she feared for her life and alleged police harassment.

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte posted bail at a Manila courthouse on Saturday, a day after a warrant was issued over an alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The criminal case stems from a late-night briefing in which Duterte said she had hired a hitman to kill Marcos, his wife and a congressional cousin if she were killed first. She later said her remarks had been misconstrued.

The vice-president voluntarily appeared before the court that issued the warrant, so there was no need for her to be arrested.

· Lawrence LimDuterte’s lawyer explained why police did not arrest her after she appeared in court.

Duterte voluntarily appeared before the regional court that issued the warrant and paid a cash bond. Her lawyer, Lawrence Lim, said that meant police did not need to arrest her. Before entering the courthouse, however, Duterte said she feared for her life and did not want to post bail without people watching.

“Will they throw me into the (jail) and then one night I die in my sleep?” Duterte said, claiming she had been subjected to police harassment. Her appearance came as the alleged assassination threat continued to cast a shadow over her separate Senate impeachment trial.

I don't want to (post bail) if no one is watching.

· Sara DuterteDuterte spoke to reporters before entering the courthouse.

The Senate trial has completed its ninth week. Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in May on charges that also include graft and corruption. A guilty verdict would remove her from office and permanently bar her from politics, ending a planned run for president in 2028.

Will they throw me into the (jail) and then one night I die in my sleep?

· Sara DuterteShe said she feared for her life and alleged police harassment.

A conviction on the grave-threats charge carries a prison sentence of up to six months under Philippine law. Duterte’s legal team said she had “no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies.” Justice Department officials rejected the argument that she could not face prosecution for offenses also connected to the impeachment case.

No intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies.

· Sara Duterte’s legal teamHer lawyers described her position after the arrest warrant was issued.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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