National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag stated that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s finding of probable cause in the grave threats case against Vice President Sara Duterte strengthens the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, Matibag detailed that the criminal complaint underwent evaluation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) before advancing to the court, which subsequently determined there was sufficient basis to proceed.
“The threshold now is the reasonable certainty of conviction,” Matibag said.
While noting the DOJ’s threshold for reviewing criminal complaints, Matibag clarified that the criminal proceedings and the impeachment trial are based on different legal grounds.
He emphasized that impeachment addresses constitutional offenses and betrayal of public trust, meaning the alleged actions could serve as valid grounds for impeachment even without a criminal conviction.
“It’s based on the culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust,” he said.
The statement follows the September 4 decision by Quezon City RTC Branch 98 to issue an arrest warrant against Duterte over three counts of grave threats linked to her 2024 remarks regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Addressing accusations of political motivation behind the charges, Matibag urged the public to trust the judicial process and let the outcome be determined by the evidence presented by both sides.
“Let’s trust the system, the court, that they will rely on the strength of the evidence and the weakness and strength of the evidence to be presented by both parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., spokesperson and counsel for the prosecution panel, reaffirmed their focus on constructing an airtight case capable of meeting whatever standard of conviction the Senate impeachment court establishes.
“We are consistent from the very start that we never engaged in vote counting. Our focus is to establish an airtight case,” said Tolosa.