House prosecutors expressed strong confidence on Wednesday that they have substantiated charges alleging Vice President Sara Duterte betrayed public trust through alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Speaking at a media briefing, 1-Rider Party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez, a prosecution panel member, said the evidence submitted to the Senate impeachment court effectively establishes the necessary elements regarding Duterte’s November 23, 2024 online remarks.
During that virtual event, the Vice President stated that she had instructed an individual to eliminate the President, First Lady, and Romualdez should she herself be assassinated.
“We do believe that the evidence has already established all the points that the prosecution needed to establish,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez credited the testimonies of three National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials—capped by NBI Director Melvin Matibag—with unifying the case.
“With the testimony of Director Matibag, we now have the institutional picture of how the NBI treated the statement. So I think now we have put in open court the legal implications, or how the NBI assessed the same,” Gutierrez said.
Earlier, NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung verified the authenticity of the audio recording, while NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc testified that investigators found probable cause to recommend charges of grave threats and inciting to sedition against Duterte.
Gutierrez added that cross-examinations and the panel’s choice to drop redundant witnesses further solidified their standing.
La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega V remarked that Matibag’s appearance provided vital context, demonstrating that law enforcement treats the potential threat as ongoing.
“Malaking piece ng puzzle ‘yung pagdating ni NBI Director Matibag kasi nabuo niya ‘yung kwento,” Ortega said.
“He painted the bigger picture na ipakita niya na buong-buo talaga ‘yung ebidensya at na-affirm niya ‘yung side ng prosecution na sa ebidensya po ng threat na iyon, naganap po talaga at active threat pa rin po iyon,” the solon added.
Prosecution spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. emphasized that the bureau applied a broad assessment to evaluate the situation rather than relying on a single clip.
“They were not relying on just one viral video or just one statement. They used a totality-of-the-circumstances approach in reaching the conclusion that these remarks had transcended into the level of a national security concern since they affect no less than the Head of State, our Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
Tolosa also noted Matibag’s testimony stating investigators are “100 percent sure” Duterte communicated with someone regarding the plan and are working to identify that person.
While acknowledging that the Senate court holds ultimate authority over conviction, Tolosa argued that Duterte’s statements clearly answer the underlying constitutional questions.
“Itong mga ganitong salita, itong mga ganitong mga aksyon, pinapakita ba nito na karapat-dapat pa ring manatili na pangalawang pinakamataas at makapangyarihang lingkod-bayan ang Bise Presidente?” he asked.
“Itong mga aksyon at mga salita na ito, pinapakita ba nito na kanya nang pinagtaksilan ang tiwala ng bayan nung siya ay niluklok sa puwestong ito? Pinapakita na ba nito na maliwanag, nagkaroon siya ng seryosong paglabag sa Saligang Batas? Para sa amin, maliwanag na ‘yung kasagutan doon,” Tolosa added.