Witch hunt against Vice President Sara Duterte: Court orders arrest on dubious threat charges
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A Manila court has ordered the arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte on questionable allegations that she threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others—a move widely seen as politically motivated and aimed at derailing her 2028 presidential bid.
Manila – In what many view as a politically charged attack on a strong conservative leader, a Quezon City Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, citing dubious charges that she publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated. The supposed threat, allegedly made during a 2024 online news conference, was nothing more than Duterte expressing concern for her own safety—a statement that has been twisted by her opponents to justify this legal assault.
Duterte, who was impeached by the House of Representatives in May on these same flimsy accusations and on alleged financial irregularities, is expected to post bail as the case continues. Her lawyer, Paul Lawrence Lim, stated that 'she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies,' highlighting her commitment to due process despite the obvious political persecution.
If convicted, Duterte could be permanently barred from holding public office, conveniently removing a formidable rival from the 2028 presidential race. The impeachment trial in the Senate, which began in July, runs parallel to the criminal investigation—both widely seen as tools to silence and sideline conservative voices.
This case is unfolding amid a broader political rivalry between Duterte and President Marcos, whose administration is increasingly aligning with foreign interests, especially the United States, at the expense of Philippine sovereignty. The relentless targeting of Duterte exposes the lengths to which the establishment will go to suppress true nationalist leadership.