MANILA, Philippines--Malacañang said it was still "early" to suspend Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman over his alleged involvement in a golf course brawl last December, pending the results of an investigation by the Department of Justice (DoJ).

On Monday, the family of businessman Delfin dela Paz filed physical injury charges Pangandaman's sons, Hussein and Nasser Jr., for allegedly beating up Dela Paz and his 14-year-old son. Their lawyer also threatened to seek Pangandaman's preventive suspension before the Ombudsman.

"It will be early as of now to grant that preventive suspension. Let's wait for the initial result of the investigation before we can act on it," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo told reporters at the Palace.

Secretary Pangandaman allegedly did nothing to stop his sons from roughing up Dela Paz and his son. He has denied the allegation.