VICE President Sara Duterte personally appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice at around 10:48 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, formally submitting herself to the court’s jurisdiction just one day after a Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against her over three counts of grave threats.
Her appearance came amid heightened public anticipation, following her absence on Friday when the warrant was first issued. She arrived accompanied by her legal team, who are now handling the formalities related to the arrest order and the processing of her bail.
Speaking to reporters shortly after her arrival, Duterte expressed deep concern over her personal safety and voiced distrust toward both the courts and law enforcement.
“I really do not feel safe,” she declared, emphasizing that she fears for her well‑being and questioning who would be held accountable should harm come to her. The Vice President cited what she described as ongoing harassment targeting her family, saying the intimidation has extended even to the residences where her mother and child are staying. These alleged threats, she explained, are part of the broader context behind her apprehensions regarding the fairness and security of the proceedings.
Duterte clarified that her apprehensions are not merely procedural but stem from tangible concerns affecting her household and loved ones. She raised pointed questions about accountability, asking who would answer should something happen to her while under the court’s process. Despite these serious reservations, she chose to appear personally before the Quezon City Hall of Justice, demonstrating her willingness to face the charges even as she publicly questioned the impartiality and safety of the institutions handling her case.
The Vice President’s legal team is currently attending to the formal requirements stemming from the arrest warrant, including the posting of bail and the filing of necessary legal pleadings to protect her rights. Her appearance effectively sets the stage for the proceedings to move forward, even as her statements have cast a spotlight on the broader questions of security, fairness, and public trust surrounding the high‑profile case.
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