ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (center) (Rep. Castro's office)

Makabayan bloc member and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has filed a criminal complaint against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office on Tuesday morning, Oct. 24. 

Castro has filed a grave threats complaint under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in connection with Duterte’s statement during a television program of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). 

In an episode of “Gikan sa masa, para sa masa”, the former chief executive made stirring statements in relation to the House's stripping of the confidential funds of his daughter, current Vice President Sara Duterte. 

He said, in reference to Castro, “Pero, ang una mong target sa intelligence fund mo, kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin.” 

(But the first target of your intelligence fund, you people, you France, you communists are the ones I want to kill.) 

In a press conference following Tuesday's filing, Castro stressed the importance of making the elder Duterte accountable for his statements. 

“Dapat matigil na itong mga gawi ng dating presidente Duterte kasi kung ako nababantaan niya, elected official, elected representative, what more na magagawa niya yan sa mga pangkaraniwang mga mamamayan,” she said. 

(Former president Duterte's behavior should stop because if he can threaten me, an elected official, an elected representative, what more can he do to ordinary citizens.) 

“Kinikilala natin ang freedom of expression, kinikilala natin ang freedom of speech, pero sobra na po ito kung sa national TV at social media, magbabanta siya sa buhay ng isang tao. It has to stop, dapat tumigil na siya sa kaniyang ginagawa,” she added. 

(We recognize freedom of expression, we recognize freedom of speech, but this is too much when he threatens someone’s life on national TV and social media. It has to stop, he should stop what he is doing.) 

Lawyer Antonio La Viña, who was also in the press conference, said that since Duterte was no longer president, he doesn’t have immunity from suit anymore. This makes the ex-president liable for any legal action. 

“This is about accountability. Si President Duterte has gotten away with so many things when he was president kasi may immunity siya from suit. Ito i-underscore namin yung historical nature na ginawa ni Rep. France today,” La Viña said. 

(President Duterte has gotten away with so many things when he was president because he has immunity from suit. We will underscore the historical nature made by Rep. France today.) 

“For the first time, we’re holding former president Duterte accountable for his actions in a Philippine court,” he added. 

Castro now hopes that Filipinos will find the courage to file similar cases. 

“Itong case na ito ay magbubunga ito ng mas marami pang mga cases, lalong lalo na sa mga humihingi ng hustisya laban kay Duterte” she said. 

(This case will result in more cases, especially those who demand justice against Duterte.) --Dexter Barro II