Lanao del Sur First District Representative Zia Adiong on Sunday questioned Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that she does not feel safe, saying it was 'ironic' that she raised security concerns while facing a grave threats case.
In an interview with Isyung Pambayan, Adiong said Duterte’s appearance before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) was to post bail over the charges filed against her.
“How ironic. The reason why she was there, ay para magpyansa, mag-post bail on an allegation of grave threat,” Adiong said.
“Ito lang yung nakita natin na kung sino pa yung nagbanta, siya pa yung biktima,” he added.
Adiong also questioned Duterte’s assertion that she was afraid for her safety, saying she did not appear frightened during her court appearance.
“Kung titingnan niyo po, hindi ito yung taong takot. Actually, it's the other way around. Nakita niyo po yung mga abogado niya parang takot na takot. Pati po yung mga taong nandoon, even the police,” he said.
Duterte posted bail at QC RTC Branch 98 on Saturday, a day after the court issued an arrest warrant against her over three counts of grave threats.
The court set bail at P120,000 per count after finding probable cause to hold Duterte for trial.
Before Duterte posted bail, her legal counsel Atty. Michael Poa told reporters that the Vice President was considered “surrendered.”
As part of the bail process, Duterte submitted a photograph of herself holding a piece of paper indicating her name and the charges against her. Court personnel also took her fingerprints.
She later showed reporters a copy of the court order lifting the arrest warrant.
Duterte said she had documented threats and harassment since 2023 and expressed concern for the safety of her children.
“I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them,” Duterte said.
“Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis,” she added.
“I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako,” the Vice President said.
Duterte did not appear before the Quezon City court on Friday, when the arrest warrant was issued.
Adiong, meanwhile, said anyone receiving threats should coordinate with authorities.
Citing the National Bureau of Investigation, he said Duterte had been given an opportunity to submit evidence concerning the threats she claimed to have received but had yet to provide such evidence.
“Maski sino po yung nakaka-receive ng threat dapat makipag-ugnayan po sa otoridad, pero hanggang ngayon wala po silang naibibigay,” Adiong said.
Previously, the Department of Justice filed three counts of grave threats against Duterte over her remarks that she had hired an individual to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez should an alleged plot against her succeed.
Duterte subsequently filed a motion to quash the charges on jurisdictional grounds, arguing that she and other impeachable officials have limited procedural immunity while in office under the 1987 Constitution.
The court heard oral arguments on the motion in late August.
It can be recalled that Duterte has maintained that her remarks were “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
The alleged grave threats against Marcos also form part of the allegations cited in one of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte in the ongoing Senate impeachment proceedings.
