Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte Charged with Criminal Case of Threatening to Kill the President

JAKARTA - The Philippine Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with alleged threats to kill the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of parliament.

The lawsuit was filed in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court of First Instance for the threat of murder against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"We confirm that the case of serious threats filed today is the same case that the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) referred to the DOJ. This case is also the same as the one raised in the impeachment process," DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). (PNA) reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, August 12.

Previously, the NBI filed a complaint against Duterte for allegedly inciting an insurrection and serious threats.

During a press conference, Duterte reportedly said he had hired hitmen to kill Marcos, the first lady, and Romualdez if he was killed.

Martinez said prosecutors recommended a bail of 120,000 Philippine pesos (about $2,500) for Duterte's temporary release.

Duterte is currently facing impeachment proceedings in the Philippine Senate. The threat is one of four charges against him.

The other three charges relate to alleged misuse of secret funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.

However, Duterte's lawyer considered that the criminal case could not be continued as long as the impeachment process was still ongoing.

"As an impeachable official, the Vice President cannot be prosecuted for alleged violations that are also the subject of the impeachment case," said defense lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim.