The Department of Justice (DoJ) will evaluate the criminal complaints of physical injuries and grave threats filed against Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said Sunday that “an evaluation will be done, and if the evidence is sufficient, a preliminary investigation will be conducted.”
Fadullon earlier confirmed that the DoJ received the complaints on 2 May, filed by Davao City businessman Kristone John Patria.
“If a preliminary investigation is warranted, Rep. Duterte will be given the opportunity to respond to the charges,” Fadullon added.
Duterte dismissed the accusations as “fabricated” and “planted,” saying such tactics are not new to him.
Vice President Sara Duterte, his sister, called the complaints part of ongoing political attacks against their family by the current administration.
Rep. Duterte was charged with physical injuries and grave threats under Articles 265 and 282, respectively, of the Revised Penal Code.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on 23 February at the Hearsay Gastropub Bar in Davao City. Patria claimed he had known Duterte since 2024 through the lawmaker’s business partner, Charlie Tan.
Patria said in his sworn statement, “I was shocked when he suddenly attacked me — headbutted me, cursed at me, and threatened, ‘I will kill you.’”
He added that Duterte, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, pointed a knife at him and said, “I’m really mad at you. I’ll kill you.”
Patria said he did not seek medical attention out of fear for his and his family’s safety, but claimed he had proof of the incident. He noted that the Hearsay Bar has closed-circuit television cameras that captured the assault.
A video of the incident has since gone viral.