Threats vs. lawyer who sued Duterte at ICC are 'hallucinations' —Palace

Malacañang on Sunday downplayed the remarks of Lawyer Jude Sabio, who last year sued President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court, as hallucinations.

"He is hallucinating and just wants to publicize himself," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo was reacting to Sabio's claims he was in a "self-imposed hiding" after a Trece Martires court ordered his arrest for a deficiency in his Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).

Sabio is the counsel of self-confessed hit man and Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato.

"There is no such animal as a warrant of arrest for a deficiency in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education," said Panelo.

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

President Duterte earlier this month expressed readiness to face a death sentence should the ICC find him guilty of crimes against humanity in connection with his campaign against illegal drugs. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News