On September 5, Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail after a Quezon City court issued warrants for her arrest in connection with three counts of grave threats. The charges stem from remarks she made in November 2024 concerning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Romualdez. The court found probable cause to proceed with trial and denied motions filed by Duterte's camp questioning the validity of the charges. Duterte's lawyers have maintained that the Vice President should not face criminal prosecution while in office, while several legal experts argued that vice presidents do not enjoy presidential immunity from suit. The arrest warrant issued against Vice President Sara Duterte does not suspend or replace the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her; instead, they add another legal challenge for Duterte, creating parallel proceedings.
Separately, Former House Speaker Romualdez was arrested on September 7 after the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan. Prosecutors allege that Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co, and other co-accused received at least PHP 7.44 billion in commissions, kickbacks, and other benefits from government-funded flood control and infrastructure projects between 2022 and 2025. Authorities served the arrest warrant while Romualdez was confined in a hospital after suffering unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack.
The two cases involve prominent figures from opposing political camps and are expected to draw significant public and political attention. Both Duterte and Romualdez have denied the allegations against them and remain entitled to due process as their respective cases move through the courts.
