started · updated
Sara Duterte faces grave threat charges in Philippines
The Philippine Department of Justice has filed criminal charges of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte in a Quezon City court. The charges stem from a 2024 press conference where Duterte allegedly stated she had arranged for the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be killed.
This criminal case is being filed alongside Duterte's ongoing Senate impeachment trial, which focuses on her alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds. While defense counsel Paul Lawrence Lim argued that the criminal prosecution should be suspended due to her status as an impeachable officer, the Department of Justice maintains that the criminal and impeachment proceedings are separate and can proceed simultaneously.
The investigation into the threats was initiated by the National Bureau of Investigation in February 2025. In a related development, the DOJ has dismissed a separate charge of inciting to sedition against the Vice President due to insufficient evidence.
Entities
Commission on Audit · Department of Justice · Ferdinand Marcos Jr. · Francis Escudero · Quezon City · Sara Duterte · Senate impeachment court · Senate of the Philippines · Xylene del Campo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Senate is currently conducting an impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte involving her use of confidential funds. www.inquirer.net
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Department of Justice filed three counts of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte in a Quezon City court. www.liputan6.com · tonite.abante.com.ph · gulfnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Defense lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim argued that the criminal prosecution should not proceed while the impeachment trial is active. www.liputan6.com · abogado.com.ph · gulfnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The charges stem from Duterte's 2024 claim that she would hire an assassin to kill President Marcos, the First Lady, and a former House Speaker if she were killed. www.liputan6.com · tonite.abante.com.ph · gulfnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The DOJ dismissed a separate charge of inciting to sedition against the Vice President. tonite.abante.com.ph
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Department of Justice maintains that the criminal case and the Senate impeachment trial can proceed at the same time. tonite.abante.com.ph · abogado.com.ph
- [● 4 SOURCES] The criminal complaint originated from an NBI investigation initiated in February 2025. www.liputan6.com · tonite.abante.com.ph · gulfnews.com