Sara Duterte impeachment trial Day 5: What to expect

Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial resumes Tuesday, July 14.

Here are some of the things to expect on Day 5 of the trial:

Zuleika Lopez, one of Vice President Sara Duterte’s closest aides, is expected to be called by the prosecution to take the stand on Tuesday, July 14 for an article of impeachment detailing the alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

Lopez was issued a subpoena compelling her to appear before the court on July 13 and July 14 to provide "material testimony" in relation to the case.

She will testify on Article 4 of the Articles of Impeachment which accuses Dutterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and contracting betrayed public trust by contracting for the assassination of the President and his family members by making grave threats, and by actively inciting sedition against the republic.

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said the court may order Lopez to explain her absence should she fail to appear and testify.

Prior to Lopez, Duterte’s defense team will continue the cross examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Bangsamoro regional director Jeremy Lotoc.

During yesterday's hearing, Lotoc said NBI found that Duterte committed the crime of grave threats and inciting to sedition.

However, he bared that the NBI found no validated information to pursue the identity of the hitman allegedly contracted by Duterte to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if something happened to her.

He also said that the recommendations of the NBI are not binding upon the Department of Justice and the local courts. —VAL, GMA News