MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a criminal complaint for three counts of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court over statements she made in 2024 threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed the filing Tuesday, saying prosecutors found prima facie evidence to indict Duterte under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The case stems from Duterte’s remarks during an online press conference in November 2024, when she said she had contacted someone to arrange the killing of the President, the First Lady and Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
The National Bureau of Investigation referred the complaint to the DOJ in February 2025 after investigating Duterte’s statements, which she made amid a congressional inquiry into her alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds.
Martinez said the offense is bailable at P120,000 per count. Prosecutors also dismissed a separate accusation of inciting to sedition, citing insufficient evidence.
Duterte’s lawyer, Paul Lim, said the Vice President remains presumed innocent and will pursue available legal remedies. He also argued that Duterte cannot face criminal prosecution over conduct that forms part of her ongoing impeachment case.
Martinez said the DOJ considers the criminal case and impeachment proceedings separate and can proceed simultaneously.
University of the Philippines law professor Dante Gatmaytan told Agence France-Presse that there was no legal barrier preventing the two proceedings from continuing independently.
Duterte was impeached in May on charges that include graft and corruption. The alleged death threat forms part of the fourth article of impeachment against her.
The Senate impeachment trial entered its 14th day Tuesday.