A Quezon City regional trial court released an arrest warrant on Friday against Vice President Sara Duterte for alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his family in November 2024.

The court has set a bail of P120,000. News reports said the court refused a petition by her lawyers to reject the arrest warrant.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag told Storycon there is the possibility that Duterte could appear in court to post bail. Matibag said Quezon City courts have Saturday sessions to process bail.

Duterte allegedly told a press conference on November 2024 that she has hired a gunman to assassinate Marcos and his family once something will happen to her. She stopped the transfer of her close aide to a women's correctional jail from the House of Representatives where the aide was confined as she was held in contempt during a hearing,

Matibag said the grave threats complaint was filed last year.

Duterte's lawyer assures the public that the vice president "has no intention of evading the law" following the issuance of the warrant of arrest.

In a statement on Friday, Paul Lawrence Lim confirmed that the court has issued a warrant of arrest.

"Regardless of the question on jurisdiction, she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies," Lim said. He did not say where is the vice president.

Her warrant of arrest stated that the bail for her release is fixed at P120,000.00 each for three counts of grave threats.

Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the "Court found probable cause to hold the accused (Duterte) for trial on all three counts of Grave Threats and ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest."

"The Department respects the court's ruling and reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law," he added. Robina Asido/PHS