Impeachment trial: NBI found no validated information on alleged Sara Duterte hitman

The National Bureau of Investigation found no validated information to pursue the identity of the hitman allegedly contracted by Vice President Sara Duterte to kill President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if something happened to her.

This was the testimony given before the impeachment trial by NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc when asked if the bureau investigated to find out the identity of the supposed contract killer.

“We tried to elicit information both from those people who have personal knowledge during the online press conference,” Lotoc said.

“Unfortunately, wala hong kaming ma-establish na validated information, na confirmed. So, in fact, hanggang ngayon nag-aantay po kami. Hindi ho katulad dito sa nangyari, may apparent commission of the crime dahil nandyan ‘yung video eh,” he added.

(Unfortunately, we haven't been able to establish or confirm any validated information. In fact, we are still waiting. This is unlike the incident where there was an apparent commission of the crime because the video exists.)

Lotoc, a witness presented by the House prosecution panel, said this on the fourth day of the impeachment trial when asked by Senator-Judge Bam Aquino if the NBI proceeded with its investigation to identify the alleged hitman despite Duterte snubbing the probe.

Sen. Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV then pressed if the NBI literally assessed the “kill” remarks of the Vice President during the November 23, 2024 virtual press conference.

Lotoc answered in the affirmative, saying that the NBI took the matter “very seriously.”

“Well, Your Honor, if the second highest official of the land sinabi ‘yan, hindi ho biro ‘yan. Medyo mabigat ho ‘yan at ‘yung pagkasabi pa niya na may kasamang galit at mga pagmumura. So we took it very seriously,” Lotoc said.

(Well, Your Honor, if the second highest official of the land said that, it's not a joke. That's a bit heavy, and she said it with anger and profanities. So we took it very seriously.)

The NBI also expressed belief that Duterte may have already talked to the supposed hitman even before the online press conference.

“Yes, Your Honor, we believe na hindi naman magsisinungaling ang Bise Presidente no’n kasi galit na galit nga po siya,” Lotoc said.

(Yes, Your Honor, we believe the Vice President wouldn’t lie at that time because she was really furious.)

“Nakita namin may kinausap na siya even before the press conference was held on November 23, 2024," he added.

(We see that she had already spoken to someone even before the press conference was held on November 23, 2024.)

Aquino also asked defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan if Duterte or the defense had not denied that a hitman was contracted to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“We deny that, Your Honor… That is not accurate, Your Honor, and we will present evidence or counter-evidence to prove that,” Vinluan answered.

Senator-Judge Juan Miguel Zubiri further clarified if Duterte really issued a denial that she said the controversial statements, aside from what the Defense submitted to this Impeachment Court as a blanket denial.

“There is, Your Honor, and we just reserve our right to present that evidence at the proper time as well,” Vinluan added.

The defense team earlier in the hearing said they will present a witness who will testify on the alleged "Operation Romanov" assassination plot against Duterte and her family. –NB, GMA News