Vice President Sara Duterte to be arraigned on grave-threat charges Friday

Vice President Sara Duterte is scheduled to appear before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday, Sept 11, to face three counts of grave threats. The charges were filed by the Department of Justice in early August after Duterte alleged she had hired someone to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez if a purported plot against her succeeded.

Duterte’s counsel, Michael Poa, confirmed that she must personally attend to enter a plea, though no discussion of the arraignment has taken place with her. An arrest warrant was issued on Sept 4, and she posted bail the following day. Supporters intend to set up a camp outside the court starting Thursday night. The alleged threats also form the basis of an impeachment article currently being considered by the Senate impeachment court.