LOOK: Supporters gather for Duterte ahead of grave threats arraignment

MANILA, Philippines — A group of individuals gathered outside Quezon City Hall on Friday to show their support for Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of her arraignment on three counts of grave threats.

Duterte is scheduled to be arraigned before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 at 8:30 a.m.

Her spokesperson, lawyer Paolo Panelo Jr., earlier said the vice president would be physically present “as required by law.”

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READ: Spox: Sara Duterte to attend Friday arraignment for grave threats case

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The arraignment will formally inform Duterte of the charges against her and require her to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, after which the court’s proceedings will begin.

She may also opt to refuse to enter a plea, which, as standard procedure, and the court will enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.

The charges stem from Duterte’s remarks in November 2024, when she claimed to have contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed.

Duterte was ordered arrested over the charges on Sept. 4 and posted a total of P360,000 in bail the following day.

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The same remarks also constitute one of the Articles of Impeachment against her in the Senate.

On Thursday, the vice president sought the Supreme Court’s relief to block the Quezon City court from proceeding with the case, arguing that she had immunity from suit as a sitting impeachable official. /dp