The prosecution’s final National Bureau of Investigation witness on Article IV is expected to provide significant information that could complete its account of Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats and clarify unresolved questions surrounding the bureau’s continuing investigation.
Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said NBI Director Melvin Matibag is uniquely positioned to explain records and investigative leads that previous witnesses were unable to fully discuss.
“I’m sure nag-e-expect kayo ng fireworks this week. There will be fireworks,” Ortega said during a press conference.
As head of the bureau, Matibag has access to the full investigative record, including documents and information held by divisions that took over after the NBI Cybercrime Division completed its part of the inquiry.
“Being the head of the bureau, he has the access to all of the records, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, kumbaga he has keys to the castle,” Ortega explained.
Matibag is expected to testify on the NBI investigation into Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 statements involving President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, including the bureau’s findings and the criminal complaints arising from the incident.
Ortega cautioned that some information concerning the alleged assassin and other investigative leads could remain classified or may still require further verification before being disclosed publicly.
“Parang iyong lead sa so-called assassin, siyempre classified iyong iba diyan. At hindi rin nila puwedeng bitawan o basta-basta sabihin kung hindi rin po solid iyong lead nila at hindi nila nahahanap or under investigation pa,” he stressed.
The House leader acknowledged that Matibag could face extensive questioning because of recent friction involving some senator-judges, but he said the prosecution’s preparations and the importance of the testimony would remain unchanged.
“Wala namang magbabago sa preparasyon ng prosecutors. Pero ako, sinabi ko naman kung ano iyong nakita ko noong nandoon ako noong hearing, Makikita natin may kaunting friction talaga dahil nga po sa past month na mga nangyaring events,” Ortega noted.
He expressed confidence that the senator-judges would focus on the evidence Matibag would present instead of allowing outside political issues to affect their assessment of his testimony.
“Pero sana mapag-usapan nila iyan at makita ng Impeachment Court iyong halaga kasi sa prosecution side, sobrang importante po iyong pag-upo bilang witness ni Director Matibag,” he maintained.
Ortega also rejected efforts to assess Matibag’s credibility based on his previous political affiliation, describing the NBI chief as a direct official who answers questions without embellishment.
“Siguro iyong kaunting oras na nakilala ko siya, nakasalamuha ko siya, very upfront naman siya. Hindi siya iyong tipong parang walang drama,” Ortega explained.