Manila: The House prosecution panel on Wednesday concluded its presentation of evidence concerning Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This development followed the testimony of the final witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag.
According to Philippines News Agency, the lead prosecutor, Batangas Representative Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro, announced to the impeachment court that there was no need for a redirect examination, thereby officially ending Matibag's appearance. Matibag was the third and final witness for the prosecution in the impeachment article, which arose from Duterte's statement on November 23, 2024, claiming she had arranged for an assassination of President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be killed.
Earlier, the prosecution had presented NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, who verified the recording of Duterte's November 23, 2024, online press conference, and NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, who testified on the bureau's investigation that led to the filing of complaints for grave threats and inciting to sedition before the Department of Justice.
During the cross-examination on Wednesday, the defense contested the NBI's findings, arguing that Duterte's statements were taken out of context and questioning the bureau's ongoing investigation into the alleged threats. Matibag responded, emphasizing the difficulty for law enforcement to disregard such statements.
Matibag also revealed that the NBI had investigated Duterte's claims that her life was at risk and had twice invited her to participate, but she had not appeared. He maintained that Duterte's public admissions had already constituted a betrayal of public trust, independent of whether investigators ultimately identify the individual she allegedly asked to carry out the assassination.
In his direct examination on Tuesday, Matibag disclosed that the NBI's special task force had identified several 'persons of interest' who could help determine whom Duterte allegedly contacted. He described the investigation as ongoing and active, warning that revealing these individuals' identities could jeopardize the probe and risk the safety of intelligence assets and informants.
Matibag testified that a special NBI task force was created after the bureau determined that the alleged threats had escalated to a national security concern, necessitating a coordinated, multi-unit investigation. The task force assessed the threats using five protective intelligence factors: the gravity of the threat, the identity of the person making it, capability, motive or intent, and a pattern of violence.
He noted that the critical aspect of Duterte's November 23, 2024, statement was her claim of having already spoken to someone who agreed to execute the killings. This distinction, Matibag explained, separated it from a mere expression of anger and justified the NBI's ongoing investigation to identify the alleged contact.
With Matibag's testimony concluded, the House prosecution formally rested its case on the threats article.
