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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara's camp confirms DOJ filing of 3 grave threats charges

VP Sara's camp confirms DOJ filing of 3 grave threats charges

Duterte's lawyer says VP remains presumed innocent, vows to pursue all legal remedies

Published Aug 11, 2026 04:59 pm

At A Glance

  • The DOJ filed three counts of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
  • Duterte's camp said the DOJ dismissed the NBI's complaint for inciting to sedition.
  • Her legal team said she remains presumed innocent and will pursue all available legal remedies.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp confirmed the filing of three grave threats charges against her before the Quezon City RTC. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin/file)
Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp confirmed the filing of three grave threats charges against her before the Quezon City RTC. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin/file)
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Aug. 11, confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed three counts of grave threats against her before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City.
In a statement, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, counsel for Duterte in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) grave threats cases, said the DOJ filed the charges on Tuesday.
“We confirm that today, the DOJ filed 3 counts of Grave Threats cases against the Vice President with the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City,” Lim said.
The DOJ, however, dismissed the NBI’s complaint for inciting to sedition, according to the Vice President’s camp.
Lim said Duterte’s legal team had anticipated the outcome and was prepared to address it.
“Under prevailing circumstances, we have anticipated and prepared for such an outcome,” he said.
Duterte maintains innocence
The Vice President’s camp stressed that Duterte remains presumed innocent under Philippine law and expressed confidence that the charges would eventually be dismissed.
“Under our laws, the Vice President continues to be presumed innocent and is confident that the charges against her will ultimately be dismissed,” Lim said.
The filing stemmed from the NBI’s investigation into allegations involving grave threats against the Vice President.
Impeachment-related legal issue raised
Lim also raised what he described as a serious legal issue concerning Duterte’s status as a sitting impeachable officer.
According to the Vice President’s counsel, Duterte may not be prosecuted for an alleged offense if the same offense is also the subject of an impeachment case.
“Equally important, as a sitting impeachable officer, the Vice President may not be prosecuted for an alleged offense that is also the subject of an impeachment case,” Lim said.
Duterte’s camp said it would exercise all available legal remedies in due course.
The DOJ’s filing marks a new legal development for the Vice President, who is facing separate proceedings arising from allegations that have also been raised in the impeachment process.
“Given these serious legal issues, the Vice President will exercise all available legal remedies in due course,” Lim added. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Vice President Sara Duterte DOJ grave threats NBI impeachment Philippine politics
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