PDP-Laban speaks out on the dismissal of the complaint against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“The PDP-Laban commends and applauds this outcome from the City Prosecutor’s of Quezon City,” according to Atty. Aimee Torrefranca-Neri, PDP-Laban Secretary-General.
This is the reaction of the party of former President Duterte after the prosecutor dismissed the complaint of grave threat filed by leftist Congresswoman France Castro.
In an interview with the Secretary-General of the party, Atty. Aimee Neri, PDP-Laban insisted that the complaint had been baseless from the beginning.
“It’s a welcome development and we are very, very happy that justice has been truly served in its truest sense,” Neri added.
In a 14-page decision signed by Deputy City Prosecutor Leilia Llanes, Castro’s complaint against the former President was found to lack sufficient evidence.
The complaint stemmed from Duterte allegedly threatening Castro’s life on his TV program, “Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa” (GMPM) on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
However, the prosecutor stated that there was a lack of ‘mens rea’ or criminal intent in Duterte’s statement.
The elderly Duterte’s camp previously explained that he was merely sharing with the public the conversation he had with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, regarding the issues of confidential and intelligence funds.
Castro based her complaint against the former Chief Executive on his words: “But your first target in your intelligence fund, you, France, you communists, I want you dead. Tell her that.”
But according to the prosecutor, the former Executive did not make a threat.
It was clear, she said, that it was merely an opinion, expressing personal suggestions during their conversation with VP Sara.
Highlight part of the fiscal’s office decision.
“It cannot be presumed that by recounting the conversations he had with his daughter, respondent intended complainant to be harassed or intimidated. His remarks were merely in the nature of an opinion and meant only to express his suggestion to his daughter regarding the intelligence funds issue,” according to page 7 of decision.
“You have to consider two things. The actual threat and the intention to carry out the threat. So, during episodes mentioned in the complaint, they were merely a private conversation relayed by our former President to the episode of SMNI, his private conversation with his daughter. And his reaction and his outburst being a father,” Neri stated.
Castro is disappointed with the prosecutor’s decision, feeling denied of justice.
“I am dismayed by the alleged dismissal of the grave threats case I filed against former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte because it failed to recognize the fear it brought to me and my family. It’s like denying justice to me,” according to Rep. France Castro, ACT-Teachers Party-list.
The party is currently considering filing a counter-lawsuit against Castro.
The legal department of PDP-Laban will meet to finalize the next steps.
They will also await the decision of former President Duterte.
“Let’s wait for the decision of the PDP-Laban,” Neri said.
In conclusion, the party emphasized that they did not influence the prosecutor, resulting in the dismissal of the complaint against the former President.
Especially since former President Duterte stepped down from office with high approval and trust ratings.
PDP-Laban clarifies non-influence on the prosecutor in complaint vs Duterte
“Let’s not forget that the case was filed when the former President was no longer the president. And the City Prosecutor’s Office is a plantilla position. It cannot be changed by whoever is the president once appointed. We also cannot say that we are pro-Duterte because we do not personally know the prosecutors,” he said.
