THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 has formally denied the motion for inhibition or voluntary recusal filed by Vice President Sara Duterte, ruling that the plea lacks merit.
In an order dated September 14, Presiding Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos stated there is no clear and convincing evidence of actual bias, prejudgment, or improper connection that would reasonably call her impartiality into question. “I see no cogent reason to inhibit or recuse myself from hearing these cases,” the court declared.
Duterte had sought the judge’s recusal on two main grounds: first, that the court allegedly assisted the prosecution by directing it to submit additional digital evidence not included in its original filing, which she claimed was a fatal gap in the grave threats allegations involving live‑streamed remarks; and second, that the judge and her son were appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — Duterte’s political rival — creating an appearance of partiality.
The prosecution countered that Duterte raised no objection when the case was originally assigned to this court, and that the judge’s directive to complete the evidence record was not special treatment but proper procedure. It also argued that a presidential appointment does not convert a judge into a political partisan.
The court agreed, clarifying that “upon assumption of judicial office, the judge is bound to decide cases independently, on the basis of the Constitution, the law, and evidence on record.” It noted that the evidence in question had been referenced in the case information but simply not physically submitted, and that the allegation of favoritism was unsupported by proof.
Following the denial, Duterte’s legal counsel Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim stated that the Vice President will exhaust all available legal remedies. The court also issued a reminder ordering both sides to strictly observe the sub judice rule and refrain from publicly discussing the merits of the case. Duterte faces three counts of grave threats stemming from remarks made in an online press conference in 2024; her arraignment, originally set for Monday, had earlier been deferred upon her motion.
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