THIRD-DISTRICT Rep. Isidro Ungab dismissed as propaganda the criminal case filed by ACT Teachers Representative France Castro against President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We all know that it is propaganda. Assuming they file [case], there is only a minimum penalty on that only six months, so it’s more on propaganda,” Ungab said in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the IP forum held at The Davao City Police Office headquarters on Thursday.
“I don’t want to talk further. Most of the style of the left group is more about asking for attention,” Ungab said.
Previously, First District Rep. Paolo Duterte released a statement defending his father following Castro’s actions.
“I think kahit sino naman, ganun ang gagawin. That’s where I’m coming from. You filed a case, let the court look at the merits. Simple as that. Gaya ng sinabi ko, it is your right. But I heard worse,” Duterte said.
“I just wish na sana yung passion mo to sensationalize this further is the same to your passion to protect the farmers and innocent victims na pinatay at biktima ng mga NPA (New People’s Army),” he added.
Castro filed a criminal charge against Duterte at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
The Makabayan Bloc lawmaker, along with lawyers Tony La Viña, Rico Domingo, and others from the Movement Against Disinformation, initiated the legal action in response to Duterte’s alleged death threats.
According to the suit, the death threats stemmed from her scrutiny of the confidential funds of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
The complaint fell under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), aimed at addressing Duterte’s tirades against Castro, which they said “pose a significant risk to her personal liberty and security.”
The provisions of the RPC cited by Castro and her lawyers pertain to grave threats. If found guilty, the penalty could include imprisonment for a period of one to six months, along with a fine, depending on the court’s discretion.
