The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to present its findings before the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, as lawmakers continue hearings on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on alleged threats against top government officials.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau is ready to testify on the results of its investigation into statements and online posts attributed to Duterte, which allegedly contained threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Matibag said the probe covered both verbal statements and digital content circulated on social media, which formed part of the evidence reviewed by investigators.
He added that the NBI has already referred the case to the Department of Justice through the filing of a complaint before the National Prosecution Service, along with supporting documents and authenticated video recordings that will also be presented during the hearing.
The NBI chief said investigators found possible grounds for charges of grave threats and inciting to sedition under the Revised Penal Code, based on their assessment of Duterte’s statements and related materials.
He said the findings were based on the content and context of the statements, which were deemed serious enough to warrant referral for prosecution.
Matibag stressed that the NBI treats all reported threats seriously and initiates investigations once such reports are received or come to its attention.
He added that some aspects of the case remain under review, including matters raised in counter-affidavits and related submissions, as the bureau continues to assess available leads and information from official records and online sources.
Investigators also examined references to alleged operational plans and other claims cited in submissions and public statements as part of their review, he said.
With the House hearing set to proceed, the NBI’s testimony is expected to detail how investigators evaluated the evidence, the basis for their recommendations, and why the case was considered sufficient for criminal filing.
Lawmakers are expected to consider the bureau’s findings as part of deliberations on whether there is enough basis to advance the impeachment complaints.