Rep. Duterte accuser mulls filing complaints before Congress

MANILA — A man who accused Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte of assault said Tuesday he was considering filing complaints against the lawmaker before the House of Representatives.

This was after he filed complaints before the Department of Justice, saying Duterte assaulted him in a bar in February. 

"Possible po... Kung 'yan ang magandang gawin ay mag-file sa Congress," the businessman said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

"Kalaban ko naman mapera, maimpluwensiya... kahit anong gawin niya, mas siya pa rin ang paniniwalaan," he added.

Although the incident took place months ago, the businessman said he grappled with trauma and secured evidence, including the CCTV footage of the incident, from February to April before deciding on his next steps.

He eventually traveled to Manila to file the complaint, citing safety concerns and the congressman's influence in Davao as reasons for not filing it locally.

"Mas safe ako dito boss kaysa doon eh. Alam naman natin na yung na-ano ko, malaking tao diba,” he said.

He said he was relying on support from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the CCTV. He said he was determined to pursue justice.

While recounting the incident, the businessman said he was running toward the exit before one of Duterte's bodyguards blocked him.

He claimed that the lawmaker accused him of extortion, headbutted him, and made degrading threats.

He added that the situation became even more terrifying when the CCTV cameras inside the bar were instructed to be turned off.

“That time, talagang tapos na ako. Wala na, kung ano ang gawin niya puwede niyang magawa,” he said.

He then alleged that Duterte slapped and punched him multiple times, with each strike reportedly accompanied by a P1,000 payment. He also shared lingering pain in his side from the physical assault.

READ: '2 oras niya ako binugbog': Rep. Duterte's accuser recounts alleged assault

“Sabihin natin last two minutes before siya umalis, 'yun every sampal niya [at] suntok, 1k gano'n bago siya umalis gano'n. Bale 10 times. Ibigay ko sana ulit sa kanya then sabi ng bodyguard, 'Huwag na baka magalit ulit. Kunin mo na lang yan,'" he said.

ABS-CBN News is still trying to get a statement from Rep. Paolo Duterte. 

The congressman earlier stated that he was awaiting authentication of the circulating video and would refrain from issuing any comment until he receives a copy of the formal complaint.