MANILA, Philippines: Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail on September 5, a day after a court issued an arrest order against her over allegations that she threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and two others killed.

Duterte appeared at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in Metro Manila wearing black. She met supporters outside the court and comforted a woman who was crying as others repeatedly chanted her name.

Duterte has denied the allegations. After posting bail, she showed reporters a court document confirming that the arrest warrant issued the previous day had been lifted. She said her lawyers had told her to keep a copy of the document with her.

She also asked journalists to stay close to her as she left the court, saying she was concerned about her safety around police officers.

"If possible, please go with me, because I do not feel safe with all these police personnel who are harassing those at my home, harassing me since 2023," Duterte said.

Her lawyer, Paul Lawrence Lim, said court officials had taken Duterte's fingerprints before she paid 360,000 pesos, or about US$5,740, in bail. The payment covered three charges of grave threats.

Lim said Duterte intended to challenge the accusations through the legal system and would not attempt to avoid the case.

The legal action is part of a wider political conflict between Duterte and Marcos. The dispute between the two political families has become increasingly bitter since they won the 2022 presidential election as allies.

The charges relate to comments Duterte made during an online news conference in 2024. During the event, she allegedly said that if she were killed, she would arrange for an assassin to kill Marcos, his wife, and Martin Romualdez, who was then speaker of the House of Representatives.

Duterte later said that her comments were linked to concerns about her own safety. She denied making a direct threat against Marcos. Her remarks nevertheless led to a criminal investigation and raised concerns among security officials.

A conviction could have major consequences for Duterte's political future. She could be permanently barred from holding public office and could lose the opportunity to run for president in 2028, when Marcos is due to complete his six-year term.

Duterte is also facing a separate impeachment case. The House of Representatives, where Marcos has strong support, voted overwhelmingly in May to impeach her. The allegations include questions about unexplained wealth, the alleged misuse of confidential government funds, and the threats made during the 2024 online news conference.

The Philippine Senate began hearing the impeachment case in July and is acting as the impeachment court.

Marcos is the son of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who ruled the Philippines from the 1960s until the 1980s. His rule included martial law and widespread political repression.

Sara Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who served as president before Marcos.

Sara Duterte has strongly criticized the Marcos administration over her father's arrest and transfer to the Netherlands. She has also questioned a foreign court's authority to prosecute him.

The two political camps also have different positions on foreign policy.

The latest court proceedings add another major development to the growing political battle between the Marcos and Duterte families.