Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, notorious for his controversial statements and violent drug crackdown, may finally have to face the judicial system. Government documents reveal that a prosecutor in Metro Manila has subpoenaed Duterte to respond to allegations of grave threats made against an opposition lawmaker. This legal development marks the first time Duterte has been personally implicated in a criminal case since leaving office.
The Alleged Grave Threat:
Duterte allegedly made the threatening remarks during an episode of his local TV program on October 10. In the episode, he advised his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, who currently serves as vice president and education secretary, on the use of proposed confidential funds. He stated, “But your first target there with your intelligence funds, are you, you France, you Communists that I want to kill.” The comments were taken as a threat against Representative France Castro, who subsequently lodged a complaint on October 24. Castro believes the threat was directed at her due to her role in scrutinizing the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds.
Legal Ramifications:
Grave threats in the Philippines are punishable by a jail sentence of up to six months. However, when compounded by local cybercrime laws, the potential sentence could extend to up to six years. Duterte has been ordered to appear before the prosecutor’s office on December 4 and 11 to submit a counter-affidavit in person. Significantly, the subpoena explicitly states that no motions to dismiss will be entertained.
The First Criminal Case Against Duterte:
If formally indicted, this case would constitute the first criminal charges against Rodrigo Duterte. Antonio la Viña, counsel for Representative Castro, expects the former President to face the consequences of his alleged threat. La Viña emphasizes that Duterte’s status as a former President no longer affords him impunity and believes that he should be held responsible for creating fear in Congressman Castro.
Controversy Surrounding Duterte’s Presidency:
Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, spanning six years from 2016, has been marked by heavy criticism. Particularly notorious is his violent drug crackdown, which resulted in thousands of government-recorded killings in narcotics-related operations. Human rights advocates estimate a significantly higher death toll when accounting for officially unexplained deaths, raising concerns of extrajudicial killings. Duterte’s implementation of a “shoot-to-kill” policy against drug smugglers has drawn international attention, with the International Criminal Court launching an investigation in 2021 to determine potential “crimes against humanity.”
The Philippines’ former President Rodrigo Duterte may no longer enjoy immunity from legal challenges as he faces allegations of grave threats against an opposition lawmaker. This landmark case represents the first potential criminal indictment against Duterte since stepping down from office. The outcome of these legal proceedings will have profound implications for the country as it navigates accountability for past actions and seeks to uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.
Market Capital Research 