Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) – Former President Rodrigo Duterte did not personally appear on Monday at the preliminary investigation in relation to the grave threats complaint filed against him by ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.
READ: Castro files grave threat complaint vs ex-Pres. Duterte
Castro’s legal counsel, lawyer Rico Domingo, said Duterte was represented by two female lawyers.
“Ang kanilang sinasabi ay hindi pa nila natatanggap ang subpoena at complaint affidavit ni Congresswoman France Castro. Kaya ang ginawa ng piskal binigyan sila ng another copy na they officially received this afternoon,” he told reporters.
[Translation: They said they did not receive the subpoena or Castro’s complaint affidavit so they were instead given another copy which they officially received this afternoon.]
The lawmaker filed a fresh supplemental complaint-affidavit on following continuous threats from the former president even after he was slapped with a court summons.
In her new affidavit, Castro said Duterte made new threats on the November 16 episode of his program on SMNI’s ‘GIkan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.’
READ: Ex-President Duterte threatens Castro again after court summons
“Inulit niya pa. Nakalagay dito ‘kaya ikaw France, how do you solve the problem now? Kaya yung statement ko na yung komunista dapat patayin, kasali ka dapat,’” Castro said, quoting Duterte.
[Translation: He even continued making threats. It’s written here ‘what about you France, how do you solve the problem now? That’s why you should be part of my statement on killing communists.’]
Domingo explained that they filed the new affidavit to prove that Duterte had continued to threaten the lawmaker.
Castro, meanwhile, was disappointed by Duterte’s absence and urged the former president to personally appear, after he said he would rather go to jail.
“Well sundin na lang niya yung tamang proseso ng hustisya sa ating bansa. Dahil sa ganung statement siya parang hindi siya sumusunod sa hustisya,” she said.
[Translation: He should follow the right process for justice in our country. Because of his statement, it’s as if he isn’t complying with justice.]
Duterte’s camp was supposedly given 10 days or until Dec. 14 to respond, under the Revised Penal Code. However, the prosecutor set the preliminary investigation for Dec. 15 at 2:30 pm.
“Wala na pong delay yan. Wala na po yang another exemption or extension. Kaya ayon pa rin ito sa due process,” Domingo said.
[Translation: There will be no more delays, exemptions, or extensions. This is still compliant with due process.]
He added that this case will be a test of the prosecutorial and justice system of the country. The former president is expected to file his counter-affidavit and supplemental complaint-affidavit on Dec. 15.
In a statement after the investigation, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said: “No need to appear since we have not received summons nor copy of complaint affidavit. FPRRD [Duterte] will file his counter affidavit in due course”
Castro said she was expecting Roque to represent Duterte on Monday’s preliminary investigation.
Despite his absence, Duterte’s supporters still showed up at the Hall of Justice in Quezon City to back him.
Just meters away from Duterte’s camp, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines, teachers, and advocates also held a noise barrage in front of the Hall of Justice in support of Castro.
Police presence was heavy in the area to ensure security.
