Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) President Domingo Cayosa stated that senators alarmed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks about killing 15 sitting senators may file legal action against him.
Cayosa explained that while Duterte’s statement may appear to be a joke, any senator who personally felt threatened or concerned can pursue a case.
He added that affected lawmakers would need to testify and establish that they perceived Duterte’s statement as a threat to their safety.
Cayosa stressed that such remarks constitute a public crime and can be prosecuted in court.
However, if no senator testifies about the impact of Duterte’s statement, filing a case such as grave threats may be difficult, even if the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducts its own inquiry.
According to the former IBP president, any legal decision will ultimately depend on the evidence presented in court.
Last week, during the PDP-Laban proclamation rally, Duterte stated that senators should be killed to create vacancies in the Senate.
“If 15 senators are killed, all of PDP-Laban’s senatorial candidates can enter. While it would be unfortunate, many of them are irritating,” Duterte remarked.
(“Sakaling makakapatay ng 15 senador aniya, ay maaaring makapasok na ang lahat ng mga senatorial candidate ng PDP. Bagaman nakakalungkot aniya ito kung mangyari, pero marami sa kanila aniya ay nakakainis.”)
While PDP-Laban supporters laughed at the statement during the rally, Cayosa emphasized that labeling it as a mere joke is not an excuse, and other related circumstances should also be considered.