Don't downplay death threats as criticism
By Nidz Godino
"Death threats and red-tagging aired on television must be stopped because they endanger lives of people… far different from criticisms and should not be tolerated because it fosters state of impunity," Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers) said Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City, 1st District) is latest member of Duterte family to trade barbs with critics after Castro clapped back at her House colleague for labeling his father's alleged death threats against her as mere criticism.
Calling out Paolo Duterte eldest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte for appearing to take exception with grave threats case she filed against his father, Castro said "we have to draw e line" at death threats broadcasted on national television.
"Dutertes have always challenged people to file charges against them when they do something wrong…now that they have been charged, they will still attack victim," lawmaker added.
This comes after Duterte issued statement describing Castro as "onion-skinned" after she filed criminal complaint against former president in connection to his remarks during SMNI program on October 11.
During televised interview, streamed in now-deleted YouTube video, Duterte said: "Pero ang una mong target sa intelligence fund… ikaw France…kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin."
Castro filed criminal complaint to "make Rodrigo Duterte liable amid serious threats" against her and that he enjoys, "no immunity" from case.
Paolo jumped to his father's defense in statement telling Castro former president "received much harsher and humiliating criticisms in past but never filed case against anyone."
Davao City lawmaker said: "as public servants, we all are under scrutiny by Filipino people…if former President has said something threatened her, then maybe she should come out clean."
"Bakit parang ako pa ang may kasalanan? Castro said in a statement responding to Davao City lawmaker.
During House's budget deliberations, Castro repeatedly brought up alleged irregularities in how Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio received and spent P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 expenditures Duterte explained were authorized by law.
Castro and other Makabayan bloc and opposition lawmakers continued to scrutinize acquisition of secret lump sum during plenary debates, triggering widespread backlash against Sara.
House leaders eventually decided to reject OVP's request for secret funds, choosing instead to reallocate their proposed budget for confidential and intelligence funds to agencies focused on defending West Philippine Sea.
Castro said while legitimate criticism of public officials is valid, what former president uttered in his SMNI program was "not criticism, but threats."
"Such doctrine neither discounts nor diminishes right of persons to life and safety includes freedom from fear... Criticism is different from death threats," Castro added.
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