Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte arrives before the start of her impeachment trial hearing at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 7, 2026…. Purchase Licensing Rights
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 4, 2026
MANILA — The political confrontation between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte has entered a new and potentially decisive phase after a Philippine court issued a warrant for Duterte’s arrest over alleged grave threats against the president, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The warrant, issued on Friday, adds a criminal proceeding to an already high-stakes political battle surrounding Duterte’s impeachment trial before the Philippine Senate. Reuters reported that the court set bail at 120,000 pesos for each of the three charges. Duterte has denied making threats and, through her legal team, said she would pursue available legal remedies.
Arrest warrant adds criminal pressure
The case stems from remarks Duterte made in 2024 in which she said she had spoken with an assassin and instructed that Marcos, his wife and Romualdez be killed if she herself were harmed.
Prosecutors treated the remarks as serious threats, while Duterte’s camp has disputed the allegations. The court’s decision means the vice president must now address the criminal case while simultaneously facing the much broader political consequences of the impeachment proceedings.
The development marks a significant escalation in the long-running rupture between the Marcos and Duterte political camps.
Impeachment trial puts political future at stake
The arrest warrant comes as Duterte faces an impeachment trial before the Senate, which is acting as an impeachment court.
The trial opened in July and centers on allegations including threats against Marcos and accusations involving Duterte’s conduct in office and the handling of public funds. Duterte’s defense has characterized the proceedings as politically motivated, while prosecutors have presented the case as a question of accountability and public trust.
A conviction could remove Duterte from office and have major consequences for her political ambitions, including any potential presidential bid in 2028.
Marcos-Duterte political feud intensifies
The developments underscore the extraordinary deterioration in relations between two of the Philippines’ most powerful political families.
Marcos and Duterte were elected together in 2022, but their alliance subsequently fractured over political, security and policy differences. The dispute has increasingly moved from political rivalry into institutional battles involving Congress, the courts and the executive branch.
President Marcos has previously said that impeachment is a matter for Congress and that his administration was not responsible for initiating the proceedings.
🧩 Bottom Line:
The arrest warrant against Sara Duterte marks a major escalation in the Philippines’ political crisis. With a criminal case now unfolding alongside her Senate impeachment trial, Duterte faces unprecedented legal and political pressure. The outcome of both proceedings could determine not only her future as vice president, but also reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
SOURCES: REUTERS – Philippine court issues warrant for VP Duterte’s arrest in grave threats case
AP NEWS – Philippine vice president is ordered arrested for threats against the president
AL JAZEERA – Philippine court orders arrest of VP Duterte over President Marcos threats
