By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s scheduled arraignment on three counts of grave threats did not push through Friday after a Quezon City court granted her lawyers’ request to defer the proceedings.
Duterte appeared before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, where she was expected to enter her plea on the criminal charges.
Her lawyer, Paul Lawrence Lim, confirmed the postponement but withheld details of the defense motion, citing the sensitivity of the matters raised and the need to respect the court.
Lim said the defense had asked the court to suspend the arraignment for several reasons and that the request was granted.
He said the proceedings would remain on hold while the court considers the motion.
The prosecution has also been directed to respond to the defense filing within a period prescribed by the court, although Lim said he could not immediately provide the deadline.
The charges are linked to Duterte’s controversial statements in November 2024, when she said she had supposedly contacted an assassin and instructed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez be killed if she were herself killed.
Duterte’s statements have also figured in the impeachment proceedings against her, which remain before the Senate.
While challenging the trial court’s jurisdiction, Lim maintained that Duterte was complying with the proceedings.
He said the vice president was following the law despite her legal objections to the court’s authority over the case.
The defense has likewise sought Supreme Court intervention, asking for a temporary restraining order that would stop the proceedings before the Quezon City court.
Among the arguments raised by Duterte’s camp is her claimed immunity from suit as a sitting impeachable official.
For now, no arraignment will take place while the Quezon City court considers the defense motion.
ia/xf
