The full investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged “continuing threat” against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will be presented before the Senate impeachment court next week, according to House prosecutors.
House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s testimony on July 21 will serve as the centerpiece of the prosecution’s final presentation for the fourth article of impeachment involving Duterte’s alleged threats.
The fourth impeachment article accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust and other impeachable offenses over her November 23, 2024 statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez if she herself were killed.
“Sa darating pong Martes, si NBI Director Melvin Matibag ang huli pong isasalang ng prosekusyon para sa article on threats para tahiin ang kabuuan ng naging imbestigasyon ng NBI dito sa continuing threat ng Pangalawang Pangulo laban sa ating Pangulo at sa kanyang pamilya,” Ridon said during a press briefing.
Ridon said Matibag would present the NBI’s “full Bureau reporting,” which he said would cover more than the digital forensic evidence and investigative findings previously discussed before the impeachment court.
“Hindi lang po ito cybercrime investigation katulad ng ginawa ni Atty. Lotoc at ni Agent Calilung, kundi ang iba pang mga ulat mula sa kabuuan ng opisina ng NBI,” said Ridon, who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts.
The prosecution has so far presented NBI Special Agent John Mark Calilung, who authenticated the video recording of Duterte’s November 23, 2024 remarks, and NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, who testified on the bureau’s investigation that resulted in its recommendation to file three counts of grave threats and one count of inciting to sedition against the Vice President.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, adviser and spokesperson of the House impeachment team, said the prosecution’s case remains intact after the defense failed to discredit the credibility of the first two witnesses.
“Nakita naman natin sa dalawang testimonya ng aming mga witnesses… hindi pa ho nagigiba ’yung credibility ng aming mga testigo,” Barbers said.
He also noted that the defense relied on the same authenticated video presented by the prosecution during its cross-examination of Calilung.
“Itong ebidensyang in-authenticate ng aming unang witness ay in-authenticate din naman ng panig ng depensa dahil kitang-kita na ginamit din nila itong ebidensyang ito,” Barbers said.
Barbers further cited Lotoc’s testimony that the NBI found sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges against Duterte over the alleged threats.
Following Matibag’s testimony, the House prosecution is expected to conclude its presentation of evidence on the impeachment article involving the alleged threats before moving to the article accusing Duterte of misuse of confidential funds.