SC petition stalls Sara Duterte’s grave threats arraignment anew
MANILA, Philippines — A pending petition before the Supreme Court challenging the jurisdiction of a Quezon City court has prompted another postponement of Vice President Sara Duterte’s arraignment on three counts of grave threats on Friday, Oct. 9.
Duterte’s lawyer, Paul Laurence Lim, said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98, presided over by Judge Maria Angelica de Ramos, considered the defense’s petition for certiorari before the high court and its pending motion for partial reconsideration ad cautelam before canceling the scheduled arraignment.
“Today was supposed to be the arraignment but we have pending motions,” Lim said in an interview.
“Also because of the pending petition for certiorari in the Supreme Court, the presiding judge deemed it best to study all these things and reset and cancel the hearing today,” he added.
According to Lim, Duterte’s petition before the SC seeks the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against RTC Branch 98.
“In general, we are questioning the jurisdiction of the RTC,” he said.
READ: Sara Duterte seeks TRO on grave threats case
In an urgent motion dated Sept. 7, Duterte sought the immediate resolution of her application for a TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction, asserting that she is immune from suit as a sitting impeachable official.
Lim maintained that Duterte, as an impeachable official, could only face charges after being convicted by the Senate impeachment court or upon her resignation.
Meanwhile, Lim said the motion for partial reconsideration concerns de Ramos’ decision denying Duterte’s request for the judge to inhibit or recuse herself from handling the case.
He explained that the defense sought only partial reconsideration because de Ramos had granted its earlier motion to defer the arraignment.
Lim declined to disclose the new arraignment date.
“I would rather have it come from the court and the prosecution if they want, but to respect the court I will not give the date [for the arraignment],” he said.
The grave threats case stems from Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and the President’s cousin, former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, during an online press conference in November 2024.
The arraignment was initially scheduled for Sept. 11 before the court moved it to Oct. 9.
Duterte posted bail of P360,000 on Sept. 5, or P120,000 for each of the three counts.
An arraignment is a stage in criminal proceedings during which an accused is formally informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. /dp /dm
