Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces an arrest warrant on charges of grave threats, a development occurring as she is already undergoing impeachment proceedings. The charges stem from alleged threats made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During a virtual press conference in November 2024, Duterte stated that she had instructed someone to retaliate with lethal force if she were killed. "I already gave orders. If I die, I told them, ‘Don’t stop until they’re dead,’" she said, according to reports.
These allegations are also part of the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte. The complaint includes accusations of misuse of public funds during her tenure as Vice President and as Education Secretary. Duterte has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Vice President is currently on trial in the Philippine Senate, which is acting as an impeachment court. This impeachment process follows her second impeachment filing in May. A conviction in the impeachment court could result in her removal from office and disqualification from the 2028 presidential elections, a race she has previously indicated she intends to enter.