Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has disputed the credentials of a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent assigned to verify a video tied to an impeachment article against Vice President Sara Duterte, claiming the witness is unqualified to provide expert testimony.
Expressing his concerns on social media, Roque questioned the decision to let NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung testify as an expert witness in the ongoing impeachment trial.
As a staunch ally of the Vice President, Roque argued that he and the individuals present during the recorded gathering are the rightful entities to confirm the footage’s legitimacy.
“Who can authenticate the video: Me, since I broadcasted the video, any of the 42 participants including VP Sara and Atty. [Zuleika]; and FB. ‘Di pwede si Calilung,” Roque argued.
He further insisted that the video evidence should be dismissed from the official trial record if it cannot be properly authenticated.
The footage serves as a key piece of evidence for Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Vice President Duterte of making grave threats against multiple high-ranking government officials.
While the House prosecution panel called Agent Calilung to focus solely on the digital integrity and technical authenticity of the recording, they noted that subsequent witnesses will be summoned to testify on the actual meaning and context of the statements made by Duterte.