'I don't feel safe': Sara Duterte arrives at QC court following arrest warrant

Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Saturday morning after a warrant was issued for her arrest. She repeatedly told reporters upon arrival that she "does not feel safe."

"Wala akong tiwala sa korte, wala akong tiwala sa pulis. I do not feel safe," said Duterte.

"Since 2023 ganito na 'yun, alam ninyo, documented 'yan. I do not feel safe anywhere. Hinarass nila 'yung lugar kung nasaan 'yung nanay ko at saka 'yung anak ko. Saan ako pupunta?" she said. "Mag-bail ako, hindi titigil 'yung harassment. Hindi ako mag-bail, pupunta ako sa pulis, wala akong tiwala sa pulis. Wala nga akong tiwala sa korte."

"I do not feel safe at all," she emphasized.

Duterte also asked who will be held accountable for if she dies.

"Sino sasagot 'pag namatay ako mamayang gabi? Sinong mananagot? Sinong mananagot? Siyempre maghuhugas-kamay lang 'yung pulis, make it look like an accident. Maghuhugas-kamay lang 'yung judge. I do not feel safe at all, kahit anong gawin ko."

Duterte personally posted bail of P120,000 for each count, totaling P360,000. Her legal counsel, Paul Lawrence Lim, told reporters that the vice president received no special treatment during her booking procedure at the QC RTC.

When asked about her mugshot, Lim noted that Duterte provided her own photos and had her fingerprints processed. 

"'Yung mugshot, 'yung kinukuha ng police, 'yun lang ay pag inaresto. And the vice president voluntarily appeared before the court that issued the warrant," Lim said.

On Sept. 4, Lim said that a Quezon City court issued the warrant. The Department of Justice has also confirmed the issuance.

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

In August, the DOJ filed three counts of grave threats before the QC Regional Trial Court against the VP in relation to her remark against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.