Malacañang assured Vice President Sara Duterte that the Philippine National Police would not be used to harm her after she publicly questioned her safety and expressed distrust in law enforcement following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said Sunday that the Marcos administration would not allow the police to become an instrument of violence. The Palace maintained that the PNP was carrying out its responsibilities under the law without political considerations.
Duterte raised her security concerns Saturday when she went to the Quezon City Hall of Justice to post bail for three counts of grave threats involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Vice President said she did not trust the police or the court and claimed her family had experienced threats and harassment dating back to 2023. She did not publicly identify those allegedly responsible.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police had not verified any threat against Duterte or her family but would continue assessing the security situation. He encouraged the Vice President or her representatives to provide information about the alleged threats so authorities could investigate them.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Duterte’s concerns should still be taken seriously and urged authorities to determine whether a threat exists. He stressed that the government has a responsibility to protect anyone facing legitimate security risks.
The controversy also drew reactions from members of the House prosecution panel in Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial. Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong described her safety concerns as ironic given the grave threats case, although he also said any threat against her should be investigated. Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima rejected Duterte’s portrayal of herself as a victim, while former lawmaker France Castro accused her of attempting to reverse the narrative.
Separately, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said Duterte’s criminal prosecution and impeachment case could proceed independently. He said the constitutional impeachment process deals with political accountability and fitness for office, while the regular court determines criminal liability, meaning the simultaneous proceedings do not constitute double jeopardy.
Duterte posted bail after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court found probable cause to proceed with the grave threats charges. The finding does not amount to a determination of guilt, and the Vice President may contest the accusations as the criminal and impeachment proceedings move forward.