QC prosecutors dismiss assault, disobedience charges against VP Duterte

Quezon City prosecutors have dismissed the criminal complaints of direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion against Vice President Sara Duterte and her security chief, citing insufficient evidence to sustain the charges.

In a 13-page resolution, the Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) ruled that the allegations against Duterte and Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) head Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica failed to establish a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction.

“The alleged commission of direct assault, disobedience to authority, and grave coercion is not supported by evidence,” the resolution stated.

The complaints stemmed from a commotion at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on 23 November 2024, when Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez was being transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center. Complainant Lt. Col. Van Jason Villamor of the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) medical and dental unit accused Lachica of shoving him during the incident.

However, prosecutors found no corroborating testimony from Villamor’s witnesses regarding the alleged attack, intimidation, resistance, or threats. The OCP also noted that Villamor’s own video footage contradicted his claims.

“The acts of placing a hand over the chest, pushing, and shoving do not constitute an attack of physical force. To be considered direct assault, the use of physical force must be serious,” the resolution stated, adding that slapping or punching would be more severe.

Prosecutors also ruled that Duterte’s raised voice at Villamor was justified, as he had attempted to slam an ambulance door on her. “Her reaction was a spontaneous and legitimate outburst triggered by his provocation,” the OCP stated.

Additionally, the OCP ruled that Villamor was not performing an official duty during the incident, as transporting a detainee from the House of Representatives to a hospital was beyond his role. It found no proof that he had been deputized to implement any House order.

Citing Department of Justice (DOJ) Circular 15, s. 2024, the OCP emphasized that the new threshold for preliminary investigations requires prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction, which was not met in this case.

The resolution was signed by Assistant Prosecutor Criscelyn Carayugan-Lugo and approved by Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano.