Rody asks court to dismiss grave threat charges

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte has asked the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office to dismiss the grave threats complaint filed against him by ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro as he formally filed his counter-affidavit.

Rico Domingo, one of the lead counsels of Castro, told The STAR Duterte filed his counter-affidavit before a fiscal in Davao City on Dec. 11.

“(Duterte) was able to submit a counter-affidavit. It’s long. Essentially, he said there was no probable cause and therefore the complaint filed by Congresswoman Castro should be dismissed,” Domingo said.

He added that during the second preliminary hearing on Friday, lawyers of Castro asked the Prosecutor’s Office to allow them to file a manifestation amid reports that Duterte owns at least 358 guns.

“We wanted to file a manifestation wherein we wanted to prove that there was deliberateness in the grave threat as he has 358 guns and therefore, he could kill a person,” Domingo added.

However, “the fiscal did not allow it so we decided to withdraw the motion so that it will not delay the proceedings,” he said.

Domingo said the Prosecutor’s Office is expected to issue a resolution on the case against Duterte after 10 days.

“We believe we have a strong case against the former president and therefore, we are hoping that it will eventually lead to the filing of information with the regular court and there will be a trial on the crime committed,” Domingo said.

Duterte was represented by lawyers Penrose Ann Valles and Kristia Caringal.

Duterte did not show up yesterday afternoon at a Quezon City prosecutors office to submit his counter-affidavits with regards to the grave threat charges filed against him by Castro.

Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte will not show up at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office but will rather submit his counter-affidavits.

Duterte has been summoned by the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office to appear personally on Dec. 4 and 11 to submit his counter-affidavit on the complaint for grave threats filed against him by Castro. But Duterte did not show up last Dec. 4. — Edith Regalado