House prosecutors said the defense panel’s own use of video clips involving Atty. Zuleika Lopez has strengthened the prosecution’s move to call her as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
House prosecution adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the Lopez-related clips shown during the cross-examination of National Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent John Mark Calilung made her testimony more relevant to Article IV of the impeachment case, which involves alleged grave threats and inciting to sedition.
“If you recall, ang unang nagpa-subpoena kay Atty. Zuleika Lopez ay ang panig ng prosecution,” Barbers said.
The third day of trial focused on the defense’s cross-examination of Calilung, the prosecution’s first witness. Calilung earlier authenticated video materials connected to Duterte’s November 23, 2024 online media briefing, where the alleged threats were made.
House prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said prosecutors found it notable that the defense played several clips involving Lopez during the proceedings.
“There are several clips na pinalabas po kanina. And sa totoo lang, pare-pareho naman tayong nagtaka kung bakit ipinalabas ng depensa iyon,” Zamora said.
Zamora noted that Sen. Risa Hontiveros also questioned the relevance of the clips.
“It was Senator Judge Risa Hontiveros herself who asked kung ano yung relevance ng video na ito,” Zamora said.
“Parang ang point niya, sinasabi niyo ba na this prompted the Vice President’s utterances?” she added.
According to Zamora, the defense appeared to initially answer yes before qualifying its response after the presiding officer sought clarification.
“If I’m not mistaken, ang kanilang abogado ay nag-yes agad,” Zamora said. “Tapos nung pinaklarify or pinareform ng ating presiding officer yung tanong, medyo binawi ng defense lawyer.”
Barbers said the exchange only reinforced the prosecution’s position that Lopez should testify before the impeachment court.
“With the presentation of the defense kanina doon sa video clips, it made Atty. Zuleika Lopez very important,” Barbers said.
“Which means justifiable yung paghingi o pag-subpoena ng prosecution kay Atty. Zuleika Lopez,” he added.
Barbers said Lopez’s testimony could help explain the context and relevance of the clips introduced by the defense.
“Yung kanyang testimony na pinakita doon sa video makes it more interesting for the prosecution to ask perhaps ang bagong sinubpoena na witness kung ano ba yung relevance nung video na yun,” Barbers said.
He said prosecutors may examine how the Lopez-related clips connect to the allegations of grave threats and inciting to sedition under Article IV.
House prosecutor Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the Lopez issue has not yet been fully addressed because the impeachment court follows a structured process for presenting witnesses and evidence.
“There is a very rigid order to the presentation of witnesses,” Gutierrez said. “You have your direct and you have your cross.”
Gutierrez said that while the defense had already shown portions of the Lopez video, the matter must still be discussed at the proper stage of trial.
“Although nabanggit na nga po na i-present na po yung video po ni Chief of Staff Zuleika, ni Atty. Zuleika, hindi pa rin fully addressed yung issue,” Gutierrez said.
“Dahil nga po, there’s a proper place and a proper time to discuss it,” he added.
Gutierrez said the proceedings remain governed by the rules of the impeachment court and that the integrity of the evidence remains intact.
“It just shows na everything is in line with the procedure and the integrity of the evidence is still intact,” Gutierrez said.