House prosecutor and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Saturday said there is no such thing as a “conditional threat,” stressing that any threat against a person’s life or the safety of their family may already constitute a criminal offense.

During a news forum in Quezon City, De Lima, a former Department of Justice secretary and former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, explained that a person who threatens another individual or a member of their family, particularly when the threat involves an act punishable by law, may be liable for grave threats under the Revised Penal Code.

“There is no such thing as a conditional threat, because threat is threat,” De Lima said

“Kapag manakot ang isang tao against the other one o kaya against the member of a family and yung pananakot na ‘yun is something amounting to crime. That is really grave threats,” she said.

Her remarks came after the first three days of the Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, which began on Monday, July 6, and concluded on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The opening week of the trial focused on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, particularly the alleged threats made by Duterte against the lives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte 1st District Rep. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in November 2024 and subsequent statements.

De Lima said Duterte’s controversial remarks, including the statement that she would have the President, the First Lady, and Romualdez killed if something happened to her, still fall within the definition and elements of grave threats even if they were made with a condition.

“With or without any condition, kahit nga po maituturing merong kondisyon, ‘yun na nga po ‘yung kondisyon niya na kung mamatay siya ay patayin ang Pangulo, First Lady, former House Speaker... Hindi pa rin ‘yan nawawala sa depinisyon o sa elements ng the grave threats under the Revised Penal Code,” she said.

The House prosecutor further maintained that the alleged threats could still be considered an impeachable offense.

“With or without condition, it's still a threat. And therefore wrong, therefore criminal and therefore impeachable,” De Lima said.

The impeachment proceedings against Duterte are expected to continue as the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, examines the allegations raised in the four Articles of Impeachment.

The impeachment proceedings are set to resume on Monday, July 13.