By Junex Doronio
PLAIN CITIZEN Rodrigo Roa Duterte was “commanded” Wednesday (15 November 2023) to appear before the City Prosecutor’s Office on December 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m.
This was learned on Wednesday as the subpoena was signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola.
“The counter-affidavit, together with the annexes and the affidavits of witnesses shall be in eight copies and shall be subscribed and sworn to before me,” the subpoena said.
Further, the subpoena read: “No motion to dismiss shall be entertained only counter-affidavits shall be admitted. Otherwise, Respondent/s is/are deemed to have waived the right to present evidence. Furthermore, no postponement shall be granted unless for exceptionally meritorious grounds.”
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro following the statement of Duterte in an interview with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) that Castro is the first target of the confidential fund of the former president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
To recall, during his “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” TV show on SMNI in October, Duterte was discussing with his reputed spiritual adviser and staunch supporter, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy about the controversial issue of VP Sara’s refusal to explain how she spent P125 million of government funds in just 11 days, saying only it was for “intelligence purposes”.
“Pero ang una mong target d’yan [sa] intelligence fund mo, kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga Komunista ang gusto kong patayin,” Duterte said.
While the statement only mentioned “France,” the ACT Teachers party-list representative said she felt alluded to because her full name was mentioned earlier in the interview.
(AI/MNM)
