Philippine VP Duterte posts bail over ‘grave threats’ against Marcos

Manila, Philippines – Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte posted bail on Saturday, following the issuance of an arrest warrant over her alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos. The threat emerged during a late-night news briefing where Duterte claimed she hired a hitman to kill Marcos, his wife, and a cousin, should she herself be targeted first.

She later claimed the remarks were misconstrued. This grave threat charge is central to her ongoing Senate impeachment trial, which could result in her removal from office and a lifetime ban from politics. Duterte voluntarily appeared before the court that issued the warrant, avoiding arrest. Her lawyer, Lawrence Lim, said Duterte feared for her life and expressed concern about potential police harassment.

Under Philippine law, a conviction for grave threats carries a maximum jail term of six months. Duterte's legal team maintains she had no intent to evade the law and will pursue all legal remedies. The vice-president was impeached in May by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, on charges of graft and corruption.

A guilty verdict in the Senate, where her trial is in its ninth week, would end her prospective presidential run in 2028.