MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio surrendered to a Quezon City court and posted a total of P360,000 bail on Saturday, effectively lifting an arrest warrant issued against her over alleged threats to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte-Carpio personally appeared before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, which had found probable cause to proceed with three counts of grave threats and set bail at P120,000 for each charge.
She was accompanied by her lawyers, Paul Lawrence Lim and former Department of Education undersecretary Michael Poa.
Poa told reporters that Duterte-Carpio was considered “surrendered” upon appearing before the court.
Court personnel took the Vice President’s fingerprints as part of the bail procedure. Instead of having her photograph taken by authorities, Duterte-Carpio submitted a personal photograph showing herself holding a sheet bearing her name and the charges against her.
After completing the process, Duterte-Carpio showed reporters the court order lifting the arrest warrant.
The Vice President used the stairs when entering and leaving Branch 98, saying she wanted the media to see her amid concerns over her personal safety.
In a statement, Duterte-Carpio said she had documented threats and harassment against her since 2023 and expressed fears for the safety of her children.
“I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them,” she said.
“Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis,” Duterte-Carpio added. “I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako.”
Duterte-Carpio did not appear in court on Friday when the arrest warrant was issued.
Police had tightened security around the Hall of Justice that day, with officers bringing in a backdrop normally used for mugshots. Security remained tight when the Vice President appeared on Saturday.
The Department of Justice filed the three grave threats charges over Duterte-Carpio’s remarks that she had hired someone to kill Marcos, the First Lady and Romualdez if an alleged assassination plot against her succeeded.
Duterte-Carpio has maintained that her statements were “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
Her lawyers have also sought the dismissal of the criminal case, arguing that the trial court lacks jurisdiction.
They maintained that Duterte-Carpio and other impeachable officials enjoy limited procedural immunity while in office under the 1987 Constitution. The court heard oral arguments on the motion to quash in late August.
The alleged threat against Marcos is also cited in one of the articles of impeachment being heard by the Senate impeachment court./PN
