Quezon city: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday confirmed it received the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision denying the motion filed by defense lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte, asking the judge handling her grave threats case to inhibit from the case.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez declined to comment further on the development, as the matter is sub judice, or under litigation. 'We note the Court's order on the motion. At this time, we'll have to refrain from commenting on this matter in observance of the sub judice rule. We note the Court's order denying the motion to inhibit by the accused,' he said.

The charges against Duterte arose from heated statements she made during an online press briefing last year, where she claimed having secured the services of a hitman to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte's lawyers have since claimed that the Vice President should not be charged before the courts as she is an impeachable official and is, in fact, facing impeachment before the Senate.