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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider QC court hears VP Duterte plea to dismiss grave threats case

QC court hears VP Duterte plea to dismiss grave threats case

Published Aug 25, 2026 03:00 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday, Aug. 25, heard oral arguments on Vice President Sara Duterte’s bid to dismiss the grave threats charges filed against her.
The charges stem from remarks Duterte made during a November 2024 online briefing, where she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos, and then‑House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had earlier recommended the filing of the charges.
Duterte’s legal team moved to quash the criminal information, arguing that prosecuting a sitting Vice President raises serious and far-reaching implications for the country’s constitutional and legal framework.
Her counsel, lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim, argued that the issue could affect other impeachable officials, including the President, Ombudsman, members of the Constitutional Commissions, and Supreme Court justices.
The prosecution, however, maintains that the criminal case should proceed under the law.
The DOJ has previously confirmed that the grave threats case stemmed from the NBI investigation and was also raised in Duterte’s impeachment proceedings.
Duterte is also facing impeachment proceedings before the Senate, where the alleged threat is among the articles being considered.
Other allegations in the impeachment case involve the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.
The legal challenge has raised the question of whether an impeachable official may face ordinary criminal prosecution while an impeachment proceeding is pending.

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METRONEWS Vice President Sara Duterte Quezon City Regional Trial Court grave threats impeachment impeachable officials DOJ NBI
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