Duterte summoned to answer grave threat complaint filed by Rep. Castro | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Duterte summoned to answer grave threat complaint filed by Rep. Castro

Duterte summoned to answer grave threat complaint filed by Rep. Castro

Mike Navallo,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Nov 15, 2023 05:30 PM PHT

Clipboard

President Rodrigo Duterte attends the
President Rodrigo Duterte attends the "Salamat PRRD" thanksgiving concert at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on June 26, 2022. Karl Alonzo, Presidential Photo

MANILA — For the first time since he stepped down from office, former President Rodrigo Duterte has been summoned to answer allegations of grave threats filed against him by ACT Teachers party-List Rep. France Castro.

Quezon City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola issued a subpoena directing Duterte to “appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Building (Department of Justice), Elliptical Road, Quezon City” on Dec. 4 and 11, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.

The former president was also ordered to submit his counter-affidavit in response to the grave threats complaint filed by Castro, along with the affidavits of his witnesses and other supporting documents.

“No motion to dismiss shall be entertained. Only Counter-affidavit shall be admitted. Otherwise, Respondent/s is/are deemed to have waived the right to present evidence. Furthermore, no postponement shall be granted unless for exceptionally meritorious grounds,” read the subpoena dated Oct. 27, 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Quezon City prosecutor summons ex-President Rodrigo Duterte to attend a Dec. 4 and 11 probe on the  grave threats complaint filed by Rep. France Castro. Mike Navallo
A Quezon City prosecutor summons ex-President Rodrigo Duterte to attend a Dec. 4 and 11 probe on the grave threats complaint filed by Rep. France Castro. Mike Navallo

Castro was also summoned, along with her witnesses, to re-affirm the “veracity and truthfulness of the allegations” in their statements.

"I am glad that the case is progressing and I hope that former Pres. Duterte will face the charges and participate in the preliminary investigation," she said in a statement.

The complaint stemmed from Duterte’s alleged threats against Castro, which were aired on national television and livestreamed online.

Watch more News on iWantTFC

In an Oct. 11 episode of his TV program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa on the SMNI News Channel, Duterte shared his advice to his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, on how to use her confidential and intelligence funds.

“Pero ang una mong target d’yan [sa] intelligence fund mo, kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga Komunista ang gusto kong patayin,” he said.

While the statement only mentioned “France,” Castro said she felt alluded to because her full name was mentioned earlier in the interview.

“Talagang nakita ko na ako talaga yung tinutukoy niya doon sa kanyang programa dahil may kinalaman ito doon sa mga subjects na related doon sa ginagawa natin sa Kongreso,” she said.

“Tingin ko kaugnay ito sa ginampanang role sa Kongreso — pagbusisi sa confidential funds na nagbunga ng pagkatanggal, pagka-realign ng budget,” she said.

Castro and 2 other Makabayan bloc representatives have been critical of Vice President Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds — a request she withdrew earlier this month.

The elder Duterte was protected from prosecution when he was president, but now that he is an ordinary citizen he can be charged for alleged crimes committed in the Philippines.

His former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo told AFP that Duterte had been "ignoring" Castro's criminal complaint.

"He can waive his right to preliminary investigation if he wants," Panelo said, adding that Castro was only after publicity.

He said Duterte's comments about Castro were not a death threat, but "just an expression of desire".

— With a report from Agence France-Presse

Watch more News on iWantTFC

ADVERTISEMENT

David D'Angelo on political dynasties: 'Babasagin natin yan' | Harapan 2025

David D'Angelo on political dynasties: 'Babasagin natin yan' | Harapan 2025

Kevin Alabaso,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

iWantTFC

Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.

Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.

Senatorial candidate David D'Angelo said abolishing political dynasties should be "self-executory," highlighting the need for a change in the people in power since it's "not their priority" to abolish dynasties. — Harapan 2025 | February 7, 2025

Full Harapan episode:



ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.