DOJ accepts court deferral of Duterte arraignment pending jurisdiction ruling

MANILA – The Department of Justice acknowledged Friday that it respects the Quezon City Regional Trial Court's decision to defer Vice President Sara Duterte's arraignment on charges of grave threats, citing the need to await resolution of a jurisdictional challenge currently before the Supreme Court.

Duterte appeared at the Hall of Justice on Friday morning for the scheduled proceeding. The deferral maintains the status quo as the high court considers whether the trial court has proper jurisdiction to hear the case against the sitting vice president.

The jurisdictional question represents a critical procedural hurdle in the case, with the outcome potentially determining whether the trial court can proceed or whether the matter must be reassigned. The Supreme Court petition remains pending as the legal challenge works through the court system.

The arraignment deferral does not prejudice either the prosecution or defense, allowing the legal process to continue without proceeding on the merits until the jurisdictional issue is resolved. The case will remain in abeyance pending the high court's decision on the pending petition.

No date has been set for a new arraignment hearing, pending the Supreme Court's determination on the jurisdiction question.