Manila: Public opinion surveys do not influence the bureau's continuing investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag.

According to Philippines News Agency, Matibag emphasized during his testimony before the Senate impeachment court that surveys are merely snapshots and do not dictate the course of investigations. He stated that the NBI operates based on legal processes and its established mandate, and is not swayed by public or personal opinions.

During the cross-examination, defense counsel lawyer Mark Vinluan referred to a graphic from the Daily Tribune, displaying the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results. The survey showed Vice President Duterte with a 57-percent public trust rating, compared to President Marcos's 34 percent. Vinluan questioned whether these results influenced the NBI's ongoing investigation.

Batangas Rep. Gerville 'Jinky Birtrics' Luistro, the lead prosecutor, objected to the relevance of the survey in the impeachment trial. However, Senate impeachment court presiding officer Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero overruled the objection, allowing Matibag to respond. Matibag firmly stated that the survey results had no impact on the investigation.

Matibag further clarified in his testimony that the NBI's investigation into Duterte's alleged threats is an 'open, continuing and active investigation' conducted by a Special Task Force. This task force was created after it was determined that the alleged threats posed a national security concern. Matibag was testifying as the House prosecution's final witness on the fourth article of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust and other offenses based on her alleged remarks in November 2024 about instructing someone to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez if she were to be killed.