Davao businessman files complaint vs Paolo Duterte for threats, injuries

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The incident involving Duterte happened at around 3 am on February 23, at Hearsay Gastropub Bar in Obrero, Davao City

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is facing a fresh complaint at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Duterte was slapped with a criminal complaint for alleged violation of article 265 (physical injuries) and article 282 (grave threats) of the Revised Penal Code. The complaint was filed by 37-year-old Kristone John Patria, a businessman based in Davao City.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon also confirmed to reporters the filing of the complaint against Duterte on Friday, May 2.

There aren’t enough details about the complaint, except that the incident involving the complainant happened at around 3 am on February 23, at Hearsay Gastropub Bar in Obrero, Davao City.

Rappler has already reached out to Duterte’s office for comment. We will update this story once they respond.

The DOJ prosecutors will now decide whether or not to entertain the complaint. They may move to a preliminary investigation to assess the allegations against Duterte, and could issue a subpoena to notify the lawmaker about his complaint.

If the prosecutors find sufficient evidence and reasonable certainty of conviction later, they will file a case in court.

Duterte is seeking reelection for his third and final term as Davao City 1st District representative in the coming May elections.

He is up against PBA Representative Migs Nograles Almario, who belongs to the Nograles family, considered a long-time political rival of the Dutertes. Duterte also faces three other opponents, including development worker Mags Maglana, whom he also faced in the 2022 race.

Apart from this fresh complaint, there’s also a pending drug smuggling complaint filed against Duterte and brother-in-law Mans Carpio by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

The former opposition lawmaker, known to be an archenemy of the Dutertes, filed the complaint in July 2024, tagging Duterte and Carpio in the P6.4-billion shabu haul in Valenzuela City in 2017. Trillanes used as basis the testimony of Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba. – Rappler.com