By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 has ordered oral arguments in the grave threats case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In an order dated Aug. 17, the RTC said it “deems it prudent to set the instant case for hearing and oral arguments” on Aug. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Duterte’s defense counsel earlier filed a motion for oral arguments on their pending plea to recall the arrest warrant and to quash grave threats charges.
The DOJ filed the grave threats case against the Vice President on Aug. 11, following her claim during an online press briefing in November last year that she had contracted assassins to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed.
Duterte’s camp claimed in its motion that the case would have “serious, far-reaching and dangerous consequences” for the country’s legal system, arguing that it involves the criminal prosecution of the vice president, who is an impeachable officer under the Constitution.
The Vice President faces an impeachment trial in the Senate, with threat as one of the four charges against her.
Other articles of impeachment are misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.
Prosecutors recommended bail at P120,000 for the Vice President’s temporary liberty. (PNA)
