HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro is preparing to file charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly making threats towards the progressive lawmaker.
Duterte, who no longer enjoys immunity from suit, may potentially face charges related to direct and serious threats made against Castro.
The offense carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to six months, along with a maximum fine of P100,000.
In an interview conducted by SMNI television network, Duterte discussed the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) being sought by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has requested P500 million, while the Department of Education (DepEd), is seeking P150 million in confidential funds for the year 2024, the same amounts they received for the current year.
It was Rep. Castro who led the opposition within the Makabayan bloc against the allocation of confidential funds, particularly for the OVP and DepEd.
This opposition was primarily due to the absence of specific peace and order, defense, and national security mandates for these offices.
Subsequently, the funds were reallocated as a result of the opposition led by Castro.
Castro has directed her legal team to proceed with filing the cases against Duterte in the upcoming week, according to abogado.com
“We will file charges because, as legal experts have pointed out, these are grave threats made on national television that endanger my life and my family,” she said.
She added, “I am no longer surprised, as this has always been the former President Duterte’s demeanor, that when he dislikes someone or has political adversaries who oppose his beliefs and principles, they are often subjected to public criticism.”
Castro has pledged that the progressive bloc in the House of Representatives will continue to scrutinize the use of confidential funds by government officials.
