Atty. Joel B. Mahinay of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao clarified that the defense claiming Vice President Sara Duterte’s grave threats were merely conditional or counter-threats has no legal basis.
He explained that once such statements are made, they are considered completed acts and cannot be withdrawn by arguing that the official was also threatened.
Mahinay stressed that such behavior should not be displayed by a public official, especially a Vice President, before the people.
Instead of defending herself in that manner, he said the proper course is to respect the legal process since the crime has already been committed.
