Arnold Clavio, binigyang-linaw kung bakit walang mugshot si VP Sara Duterte
- Arnold Clavio addressed two legal questions surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s court appearance
- He explained why Duterte may not have undergone a traditional police mugshot after voluntarily appearing in court
- Clavio clarified that posting bail on a Saturday is not automatically illegal under the Rules of Criminal Procedure
- Duterte’s legal counsel said she submitted her own photograph and that the court also obtained her fingerprints
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GMA broadcaster Arnold Clavio weighed in on two legal issues surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s appearance before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 on Saturday, September 5, where she posted bail for three counts of grave threats.
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Clavio discussed the matter in an Instagram post on Sunday, September 6, focusing on questions raised about the absence of an official police mugshot and the legality of posting bail on a Saturday.
"Dalawa ang legal na pinagtatalunan sa kaso ni VP Sara Duterte nang magtungo sa Quezon City Regional Trial Court noong Sabado," Clavio wrote in his post.
He then identified the two issues that had drawn public attention.
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"Una , BAKIT WALANG MUG SHOT si VP Sara ? Pangalawa , LEGAL BA ANG PAG-POST NIYA NG BAIL NG SABADO NA WALANG PASOK SA KORTE?"
Although he emphasized that he is not a lawyer, Clavio offered an explanation based on legal records and provisions relevant to the case.
On the first issue, Clavio noted that there is no law in the Philippines that automatically exempts a person from having a mugshot simply because they voluntarily surrendered.
"Hindi po ako abogado, pero batay sa mga legal records na may kaugnayan sa isyu, sinasabi na WALANG BATAS sa Pilipinas na nagsasabing: 'Kapag voluntary surrender, hindi na kailangan ng mugshot.'"
He also cited Article 13(7) of the Revised Penal Code, which recognizes voluntary surrender as a mitigating circumstance. According to his explanation, voluntary surrender involves a person submitting themselves to authorities before being actually arrested.
Clavio likewise referred to Rule 113 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which defines arrest in relation to taking a person into custody for an offense.
"Kaya mas tamang sabihin: 'Walang batas na nagsasabing automatic na walang mugshot kapag voluntary surrender. Pero kung kusang pumunta ang akusado sa korte at hindi siya aktuwal na inaresto ng pulis, maaaring walang traditional police mugshot. Maaari pa ring kailanganin ang litrato at fingerprint bilang bahagi ng court booking requirements,'" he explained.
He added that reports indicated Duterte did not have an official police mugshot but instead submitted photographs and fingerprints as part of the court process.
"Sa kasalukuyang kaso ni VP Sara Duterte, iniulat mismo na walang official police mugshot, pero nagsumite siya ng photographs at fingerprint bilang bahagi ng proseso," Clavio said.
The second issue involved the timing of Duterte’s bail.
Clavio disputed the claim that posting bail on a Saturday was automatically illegal because courts do not normally operate on regular weekdays during weekends.
"Sa pangalawang usapin, binabanggit naman sa legal records na HINDI ILIGAL ang pag-post ng bail sa araw ng Sabado," he said.
He cited Rule 114, Section 17 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which provides circumstances under which bail may be filed in court and allows it to be submitted before another qualified judge when the judge handling the case is unavailable.
Clavio also pointed to Rule 113, Section 6, which states that an arrest may be made "on any day and at any time of the day or night."
"At sa nangyaring kaso noong Sabado, September 5, 2026, iniulat na ang Quezon City RTC Branch 98 ang assigned weekend court, kaya doon isinagawa ang bail proceedings," he explained.
According to Clavio, after the necessary requirements were received, the court issued an order lifting the arrest warrant.
Duterte posted ₱360,000 bail on the same Saturday in connection with the three grave threats charges filed against her.
Her legal counsel, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, also explained why Duterte did not have what is traditionally considered a police mugshot. He said the Vice President submitted her own photograph with a white background along with the required documents, while the court also obtained her fingerprints.
“Well, [ang] mugshot, kasi ang understanding ko diyan ‘yong pulis ang kumukuha noon. Pero ‘yong pictures, there are pictures taken and we submitted. Nandoon na rin ‘yong mga certificates na required to be submitted, kasama doon. Tapos ‘yong fingerprints,” Lim said.
He further explained that the photograph could be supplied by Duterte herself.
“White background lang naman ‘yon kasi puwede naman siyang mag-submit, actually, ng sarili niyang pictures. These are pictures na supplied na by the Vice President herself. Hindi kailangan. Kasi ‘yong mugshot, ‘yong kinukuha kunwari ng pulis, ‘yon lang ay kapag inaresto.”
Lim clarified that Duterte was not physically arrested and instead voluntarily appeared before the court in compliance with the arrest warrant issued against her.
The explanations from Clavio and Lim provided context to the questions surrounding the Vice President’s court appearance, particularly the distinction between a traditional police mugshot and photographs submitted as part of court requirements, as well as the circumstances surrounding her weekend bail proceedings.
Arnold Clavio, commonly known as "Igan," is a prominent Filipino broadcast journalist, radio commentator, and television news anchor. Over his multi-decade career with GMA Network, he has hosted major programs including the morning show Unang Hirit, the late-night newscast Saksi, and his own talk show Tonight with Arnold Clavio.
In another report, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim addressed the arrest warrant issued against Vice President Sara Duterte, assuring the public that she has no plans to leave the country. While the defense questioned whether the court has jurisdiction over the case, Lim maintained that VP Sara is not seeking to evade the legal process.
Meanwhile, talent manager Ogie Diaz voiced his disappointment over a controversial statement reportedly attributed to Vice President Sara Duterte. He highlighted the efforts being made by her defense lawyers and supportive senators amid the impeachment proceedings, urging the Vice President to consider the sacrifices of those who continue to stand by her.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
