Sara Duterte fails to remove QC judge from threats case

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City judge who issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte—and who later got an online bashing from her supporters—will stay on her grave threats case.

Judge Maria Angelica de Ramos of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 denied Duterte’s motion seeking the judge’s inhibition from the case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Duterte’s lawyer Paul Lim confirmed on Tuesday.

Lim said Duterte respects the ruling but still would exhaust all available legal remedies. The DOJ and the defense lawyer both declined to elaborate on the judge’s ruling, citing the sub judice rule.

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READ: VP Sara Duterte seeks TRO on grave threats case

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Duterte faces charges for three counts of grave threats over her online press conference in November 2024, when she said she had spoken to someone about having President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez killed if an alleged plot to kill her succeeded.

She posted P360,000 bail on Sept. 5, a day after De Ramos issued the arrest warrant.

Before posting bail, Duterte was heard telling her lawyers that she feared for her life and did not trust the courts, police or even her own security personnel.

The arraignment originally set for Sept. 11 has been suspended after Duterte went to the Supreme Court questioning the RTC case, arguing she’s immune from suit as an incumbent impeachable official.

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On Sept. 8, the Kapunungan sa mga Pilipinong Hukom (Hukom) defended De Ramos after she became the target of online attacks and accusations of bias.

“Judges must decide cases freely, according to law, without fear or pressure—even when rulings are unpopular,” Hukom then said, calling the criticism of De Ramos and her issuance of the warrant unfounded. /cb