Jude Sabio ‘hallucinating’: Palace

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, denied that there was the existence of a warrant of arrest for deficiency in MCLE and that the lawyer simply wanted exposure. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Sunday described Jude Sabio, the lawyer who filed a communication before the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing President Rodrigo R. Duterte of committing crimes against humanity, as “hallucinating” after the former claimed he was being harassed by the Duterte administration.

Sabio, in a TV interview, claimed he was in “self-imposed hiding” after a Trece Martires court ordered his arrest for deficiency in his Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).

He also claimed that there is currently a “very serious threat” to his life after he went to The Hague to lodge his complaint.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, denied that there was the existence of a warrant of arrest for deficiency in MCLE and that the lawyer simply wanted exposure.

“He is hallucinating and just wants to publicize himself. There is no such animal as a warrant of arrest for a deficiency in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education,” Panelo said.

“I suggest you check the arrest warrant, it must be in connection with a criminal case filed against him and not due deficiency in the MCLE,” he added.

In 2018, Sabio filed his certificate of candidacy to run for Senator through liaison officer Rogelio Doydora.

However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared him as a nuisance candidate.