Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio appeared at a Manila courthouse on Saturday to post bail, one day after a warrant was issued for her arrest. The legal action follows charges of “grave threats” filed against her last month. The controversy originated from a late-night press briefing where Duterte-Carpio stated she had hired a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and a congressman cousin in the event that she herself was killed.

Following the public outcry over these remarks, Duterte-Carpio clarified that her statements had been misconstrued. The legal proceedings represent a significant escalation in the ongoing political rift between the President and the Vice-President, who were once allies during the 2022 election. While the Vice-President maintains that her comments were taken out of context, the issuance of an arrest warrant indicates that authorities are treating the alleged threats as a serious criminal matter. The case is now moving through the judicial system, with the Vice-President currently released on bail as the investigation continues.