Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has taken legal action against top officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of National Defense (DND), filing a disbarment complaint before the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the arrest and transfer of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The complaint, filed on Thursday, October 1, lists DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty, and Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon as respondents.
According to Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, the case involves violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).
“I think you know that I could not expound on the same but this is related to the kidnapping as well as expulsion of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte towards The Hague,” Torreon told reporters in an ambush interview.
Former President Duterte was arrested last March 11 in Manila upon returning from Hong Kong. He was later flown to The Hague, Netherlands, where he is now facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Remulla, meanwhile, said he was not surprised by the complaint.
“Kasi he lawyers for the Davao group. Kaya ‘yun na ‘yun. Kahit the SC, siya ‘yung nag-file, he filed cases in the SC I think when PRRD was already placed in confinement sa airport,” Remulla said.
The Justice Secretary later described the move as “forum shopping,” but Torreon rejected the claim.