QUEZON CITY — The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 has issued a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to the document dated September 4, authorities were ordered to arrest Duterte and bring her before the court.
Duterte is facing three counts of grave threats in connection with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The court set bail at ₱120,000 for each count.
In its resolution, the court said it found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial on all three counts of grave threats and ordered the issuance of the arrest warrant.
The RTC also denied Duterte’s motion seeking to defer or recall the warrant of arrest. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the court denied “the Motion by the accused Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to defer or recall the warrant of arrest against her in the criminal case for Grave Threats.”
Following the court’s ruling, the DOJ issued a statement expressing its respect for the decision.
“The Department respects the Court’s ruling and reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law,” the DOJ said.
The court directed law enforcement authorities to serve the warrant on Duterte as soon as possible.
Photo/Caption: Vice President Sara Duterte personally visited Zamboanga City last month to extend condolences to the family of a student who died and show support for the Ateneo de Zamboanga community following the tragedy, according to a post on the Vice President’s social media account on September 4. (Inday Sara Duterte/FB)