The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Friday, May 2, that a complaint for physical injuries and grave threats has been officially filed against Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte.
Maliwanag, may hawak na patalim si Pulong dito. pic.twitter.com/7FJ9t86BfD
— ☆ Cheeky Lady ☆ (@CheekyLady1027) May 2, 2025
According to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, the DOJ in Manila received the complaint documents on the same day. The complaint stems from an alleged altercation that took place at Hearsay Gastropub in Davao City at around 3 a.m. on February 23, 2025.
The complainant has been identified as 37-year-old Kristone John Patria, a local businessman and resident of Davao City. Patria claims that Rep. Duterte physically assaulted and threatened him during the early morning incident at the popular establishment.
Coinciding with the filing of the complaint is the emergence of a viral video circulating on social media. The footage appears to show a man resembling Rep. Duterte entering a bar, confronting an individual, and engaging in a physical altercation. The video has since sparked widespread online discussion, with netizens expressing shock over the alleged involvement of a sitting congressman in a violent incident.
While the authenticity of the video has yet to be officially verified, several observers have noted the resemblance of the man in the footage to Rep. Duterte. As of this writing, the lawmaker has not issued a public statement addressing the allegations or the video.
The DOJ said it would review the complaint and accompanying evidence to determine if there is probable cause to proceed with a formal investigation or indictment. “The matter is now under evaluation,” said Fadullon.
Legal experts noted that if the complaint is found to have merit, it could lead to criminal charges against the lawmaker, which may impact his position in Congress and his political standing.
The alleged incident has raised concerns among rights groups and political analysts, who have called for a fair and transparent investigation.
Ooops another video na ipinasa sa DOJ as evidence ng pananakit ni Pulong Duterte . pic.twitter.com/PBzlqIkTHh
— 🇵🇭 Laitera🇵🇭 (@laiteranidaddy) May 2, 2025
Rep. Paolo Duterte, the son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has held office since 2019. This is the first time he has faced a criminal complaint involving allegations of violence.
The public now awaits further developments as the DOJ continues its assessment of the case.