August 12, 2026 | 02:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Philippine Department of Justice on Tuesday filed criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged death threats against the president, first lady and former House speaker.
The suit was filed with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
"We confirm that the grave threats case filed today is the same matter referred by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to the DOJ. It is also the same matter raised in the impeachment proceedings," DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA), as quoted by ANTARA.
Previously, the NBI filed a complaint against Duterte for alleged incitement to rebellion and serious threats. In a press conference, Duterte reportedly said he had hired hitmen to kill Marcos, the first lady, and Romualdez if he were assassinated.
Martinez said prosecutors recommended bail of 120,000 Philippine pesos (around Rp34 million) for Duterte's temporary release.
Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial in the Philippine Senate. The threat is one of four charges against him. The other three charges relate to alleged misuse of secret funds, bribery and unexplained wealth.
However, Duterte's lawyers believe the criminal case cannot proceed while the impeachment process is still ongoing.
"As a sitting impeachable officer, the Vice-President may not be prosecuted for an alleged offence that is also the subject of an impeachment case," said defense attorney Paul Lawrence Lim.
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