Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte freed on bail after alleged ‘kill the president’ order

Sara Duterte, a leading potential contender in the next Philippine presidential election, walked out of a Quezon City trial court after posting bail in a case arising from an explosive assassination warning. The court had issued a warrant the previous day on three counts of serious threats and set bail at 120,000 pesos per count, or 360,000 pesos in total.

Through her lawyers, Duterte said she had no intention of evading the law and would continue using every legal remedy available. After her release, she accused authorities of harassing her. “If I die tonight, who should be held responsible?” she asked outside the court, adding that she felt unsafe.

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I have no intention of evading the law and will continue to pursue every legal remedy available.

Supporters gathered outside and chanted “Duterte! Duterte!” as the vice president left the courthouse in tears. The case concerns an online news conference in November 2024, when Duterte said she had instructed her security team to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin and the speaker of the House at the time, if she were assassinated.

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If I die tonight, who should be held responsible? I feel unsafe.

“If I am killed, I told them to kill BBM, the first lady and Martin Romualdez. It is not a joke,” Duterte said then, using Marcos’ initials. A conviction could result in up to six months in prison, permanent disqualification from holding public office and exclusion from the 2028 presidential race.

The legal case is unfolding alongside an impeachment proceeding. The House of Representatives approved impeachment articles against Duterte in May over allegations including threats and misuse of public funds. The Senate is conducting the final trial, and conviction requires support from at least two-thirds of its 24 members. Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was elected vice president in 2022 alongside Marcos, but the two leaders have since become powerful rivals after repeated disagreements over major political issues.

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If I am killed, I told them to kill BBM, the first lady and Martin Romualdez. It is not a joke.