PDP-Laban denounces issuance of VP Sara Duterte arrest warrant

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-LABAN) on Saturday denounced the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it was the "latest assault on the legitimate political Opposition" by the Marcos administration.

PDP-Laban said the arrest warrant was issued by a Regional Trial Court judge recently appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"The blatant attempt to decimate the political Opposition is disingenuous yet obvious: appoint people beholden to the present administration to key positions in government agencies, and use these agencies as weapons of mass harassment against those who dare oppose the prevailing corruption masterminded by the Palace," PDP-Laban national spokesman Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said in a statement.

"During these very dark times in our country's history, where might is beginning to prevail over right, the PDP-LABAN is urging the people to maintain their support to the leaders of their choice, to resist with all their might the imposition of those whom the people have repudiated, and to stand fast against the forces of dictatorship," he added.

"We in the PDP-LABAN will be at the forefront of this epic battle for our democratic way of life. WE STAND WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT! WE STAND WITH JUSTICE! STAND WITH THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!" the statement read.

GMA News Online asked Malacañang for comment but it has yet to issue a statement as of posting time.

The Quezon City (QC) Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued an arrest warrant against Duterte over her grave threats case.

In its order, the court said it found probable cause to hold Duterte for trial.

“Together with its supporting evidence, and after due consideration of the arguments raised by both parties in their oral arguments, the Court finds that there is probable cause to hold the accused for trial for the crimes charged in the Informations,” it said.

QC RTC Branch 98 Presiding Judge Maria Angelica P. De Ramos set the bail at P120,000 each for three counts of grave threats in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175.

Duterte's lawyer said the vice president would face the charges head on.

"Regardless of the question on jurisdiction, she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies," lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim, her counsel, said in a statement.

In early August, the DOJ filed three counts of grave threats against the vice president over her remarks that she hired an individual to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez, should an alleged plot against her succeed.

The lawyers of Duterte have received the arrest warrant against her and are planning to post bail as soon as possible, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday.

On Saturday, Duterte's lawyers arrived at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, a day after the warrant of arrest was issued. —with a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News