Team DailyPedia
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV criticized Vice President Sara Duterte following her appearance at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to post bail in connection with three counts of grave threats.
In a Facebook post on September 5, Trillanes reacted to videos of Duterte at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, where the Vice President spoke about concerns over her safety and that of her children.
“Sa mga nakapanood ng mga video ng pagpiyansa ni Sara sa QC RTC, sana naman maliwanag sa inyo na wala talaga siya sa tamang pag-iisip,” Trillanes wrote.
The remark represented Trillanes’ own characterization of Duterte and was made as part of his criticism of the Vice President.
“Hindi ito puwedeng maging presidente o manatili bilang bise presidente,” he continued.
Trillanes then urged Filipinos to be more discerning when choosing the country’s leaders.
“Alang-alang sa ating bayan at sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino, pumili naman tayo ng maayos,” he said.
Trillanes’ comments came after Duterte appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on September 5 to post bail following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her.
Duterte confirmed receiving notice of the warrant dated September 4.
“I confirm that I was given notice of a warrant of arrest dated September 4, 2026 issued by Judge Maria Angelica De Ramos of Branch 98, Quezon City and served by PNP Col Christine Tabdi in the Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said.
The warrant was issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 after the Department of Justice filed three counts of grave threats against the Vice President.
While at the courthouse, Duterte said she did not feel safe and expressed concern about threats she claimed to have documented since 2023.
“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,” she said.
“Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis,” she added.
Duterte further said, “I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako.”
At one point, she also invoked the assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. while expressing concern about her security.
“Naalala mo ba na si Ninoy Aquino, namatay sa hagdanan?” Duterte said.
Her statements reflected her expressed fears about her safety. The material provided does not independently establish that authorities were planning to harm her.
The grave threats case stems from Duterte’s controversial remarks during an online press conference in November 2024 involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte had said that she had instructed someone to kill the three if she herself were killed.
Those remarks subsequently became the subject of legal proceedings, with the Department of Justice filing three counts of grave threats against her.
Duterte has also publicly announced her intention to seek the presidency in the 2028 elections.
“Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” she said when announcing her plan in February 2026.
Trillanes’ latest post directly challenged that prospective presidential bid, arguing that Duterte should neither become president nor remain vice president.
As of the information provided, Duterte had yet to publicly respond specifically to Trillanes’ September 5 remarks.
