The House of Representatives has not yet received an ethics complaint against Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte concerning a reported bar brawl, but the chamber may initiate its own investigation motu proprio, even while Congress is in recess, a House official said Wednesday.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told DAILY TRIBUNE that they have yet to receive a formal complaint from Kristone John Patria, a Davao City-based businessman accusing Duterte of physical assault and grave threats, despite reports that Patria plans to bring the matter before Congress.
In the absence of a formal complaint, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges may still act and initiate its own investigation upon the recommendation of a panel member or the chairperson.
“The ethics committee, just like any committee, can conduct the investigation motu proprio — on its own. If a member or the chairman should move for it, the committee can hold hearings while on break,” Velasco said over the phone.
According to House rules, once a complaint is filed, the lawmaker in question must be formally notified, and the committee will then conduct hearings to allow all parties involved to address and respond to the allegations.
Following the hearings, the committee will issue a decision. The lawmaker may be warned, and any recurrence of a similar offense could result in disciplinary action, including suspension, depending on the gravity of the violation.
Velasco added that if the offense is deemed grave, the committee may recommend the maximum penalty — expulsion — which would require adoption by the plenary through a two-thirds vote of all House members.
Congress is currently on a four-month recess for the 12 May elections and will have only six session days remaining when it reconvenes on 2 June. The 19th Congress will adjourn within the same month.
Velasco noted that any complaint filed during this period, if not acted upon, will lapse and cannot be carried over into the 20th Congress.
“Just like any bills, it has to be refiled in the next Congress, because a new leadership takes over,” he said.
Patria accused Duterte of assaulting him and attempting to stab him during a dispute in a Davao bar, allegedly involving a payment issue related to a group of women Patria had arranged for Duterte and his entourage.
CCTV footage of the February incident reportedly shows Duterte repeatedly headbutting Patria and striking him several times in the upper body.
Patria said he waited months to file a complaint with the Department of Justice due to trauma and safety concerns, citing Duterte’s political influence, particularly in Davao.
Duterte, who is seeking a third term in Congress, responded that he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint but said his legal team is in the process of authenticating the viral video.
Vice President Sara Duterte defended her brother, saying the charges are politically motivated and orchestrated by the administration to distract from more pressing issues, including the unfulfilled promise of P20-per-kilo rice and alleged errors in the 2025 national budget.