Rodrigo Duterte summoned for the first time since leaving office to respond to grave threat complaint

For the first time since he left his seat at the Malacañang Palace, former President Rodrigo Duterte was issued a subpoena amid the criminal case filed by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.

In the subpoena, which was signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola, Duterte was asked to appear before the City Prosecutor's office in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Dec. 4 and 11, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.

He was also asked to submit a counter-affidavit to address the grave threats complaint filed by Castro and the affidavits of his witnesses.

“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 subpoena dated Oct. 27, 2023 read.

Castro was also asked to appear before the prosecutor on the same date to re-affirm the "veracity and truthfulness of the allegations in their given statement."

The issue comes after the former president threatened the Filipino educator and politician on national television, saying she would be the first target of her daughter Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential fund.

Duterte shared with Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa on the SMNI News Channel, his advice to his daughter on how to use the intelligence funds.

“Pero ang una mong target d’yan [sa] intelligence fund mo, kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga Komunista ang gusto kong patayin,” he said on air.

According to Castro, a critic of the vice president's confidential funds, she was personally targeted as her full name was mentioned in the early part of the interview.

“Talagang nakita ko na ako talaga yung tinutukoy niya doon sa kanyang programa dahil may kinalaman ito doon sa mga subjects na related doon sa ginagawa natin sa Kongreso,” she said.

“Tingin ko kaugnay ito sa ginampanang role sa Kongreso — pagbusisi sa confidential funds na nagbunga ng pagkatanggal, pagka-realign ng budget,” she said.

Castro filed criminal charges against Duterte on Oct. 24 saying the former president needs to be "accountable" for the threats.

"Kailangan niyang harapin ang accountability sa matinding pagbabanta sa aking buhay," she said.

If Duterte is found guilty, he could face imprisonment for a period of one to six months, along with a fine, but this would also depend on the court's decision.