DAVAO City Representative and reelectionist Paolo “Pulong” Duterte said on Saturday, May 3, 2025, that he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint filed against him by a businessman for physical injuries and grave threats.
In a video statement, Duterte said his lawyers are still authenticating the source of the now viral video where he was seen physically assaulting the complainant.
“To my fellow Davaoeños, you have seen another video; it happened quite some time ago. At the end of the day, it is still your decision who you will vote for as congressman of the First District. I will not intervene,” he said in Cebuano.
“My lawyer advised me that the video is still being authenticated to determine the source. It seems that the complaint was filed first with the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). The affidavit was posted on social media first instead of being filed at the fiscal's office. So I cannot make a statement about that because we have not received any documents that someone filed a case against me,” he added.
Duterte is currently in the Netherlands where his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is detained amid the investigation of the International Criminal Court on the alleged crime against humanity in the country during the implementation of his drug war.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police categorically denied having a copy of any CCTV footage of the incident, that it originated from the PNP, and that it was obtained or released by any PNP unit or its personnel.
“Likewise, the PNP denies any involvement in the dissemination of the affidavit of the complainant, which has also surfaced in public channels. The document in question was not released by the police, and the PNP has no official role in its circulation,” the PNP said.
“The PNP respects the legal process and emphasizes that the case has already been formally filed before the Department of Justice. As such, any questions or clarifications regarding the merits of the complaint should be addressed to the appropriate office handling the matter,” it added.
The PNP assured, however, that they will provide or extend assistance or coordination when officially requested by competent authorities.
In the complaint, the victim said the incident took place on February 23 at a bar in Davao City.
He said the lawmaker threatened him with a knife and mauled him for two hours.
He said Duterte turned off the CCTV when he noticed there was one.
He said Duterte later gave him money.
He said he initially refused to seek medical attention or file a complaint due to fear.
In an interview with reporters, Duterte’s sister, Vice President Sara, said the issue is yet another political attack against their family.
“Oo, sinabi ko na nga ano na wala namang ibang ginawa ang administrasyon na ito kundi pamumulitika lang at paninira sa mga kalaban nila sa pulitika. Kung napansin ninyo noong lumabas ‘yung malaking isyu ng mga blangko sa (2025) budget… At maraming nagtatanong at maraming nagsasabi na unconstitutional ‘yung budget. Tinanong kung paano naging legal ‘yung paggamit nila ng pera, eh puro blangko ‘yung nasa loob ng budget, ay lumabas ‘yung impeachment ko. Iyon ‘yun,” she said.
(Yes, I already said it -- that this administration has done nothing but play politics and attack their political opponents. If you noticed, when the major issue about the blanks in the (2025) budget came out… and many people were questioning it, saying the budget was unconstitutional. They asked how the use of the funds could be legal when the budget was full of blanks -- and then, suddenly, my impeachment came out. That’s it.)
“Noong lumabas naman ‘yung kanilang May 1 na 20 pesos ang kilo ng bigas. At siyempre, dahil hindi naman totoo ‘yung pangako na yun, pambobola lang naman yun sa mga tao, hindi nila kayang i-sustain, ay tinigil kaagad. Ng May 2, lumabas naman ‘yung complaint kuno kay Congressman Pulong Duterte. So nakikita ninyo na basta mayroong nangyari na kagagawan ng administrasyon, ang ginagawa nila ay sinisira nila ang kanilang kalaban sa politika para matabunan ‘yung totoong issue ng bayan,” she added.
(When they came out with their May 1 promise of rice at 20 pesos per kilo -- of course, since that promise wasn’t true and was just meant to fool the people, something they couldn’t sustain -- they immediately stopped it. Then on May 2, a so-called complaint against Congressman Pulong Duterte came out. So you can see that whenever something happens that’s the fault of the administration, what they do is attack their political opponents to cover up the real issues affecting the country.) (TPM/SunStar Philippines)