Prosecution rejects claim Zuleika Lopez detention triggered Duterte threats

The House prosecution panel on Wednesday disputed the defense's claim that the detention of Atty. Zuleika Lopez at the House of Representatives prompted Vice President Sara Duterte's profane remarks and death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. and public prosecutor, San Juan Rep. Belle Zamora, said the testimonies of their first two witnesses—Mark Calilung and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc—showed that Duterte's November 23, 2024 remarks were the culmination of a series of earlier statements, including remarks about wanting to "cut off" the President's head and calling him an incompetent leader.

"Ang detention lang [ni Attorney Lopez] ang naging panahon kung kailan inanunsiyo sa buong mundo na meron nang kasunduan na ipapatay ang Presidente," Tolosa said.

(The detention was merely the occasion when she announced to the world that she had already arranged to have the President killed.)

Lopez, Duterte's chief of staff, was detained at the House of Representatives in Batasan beginning Nov. 20, 2024, after the House panel investigating the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education cited her in contempt for allegedly giving "evasive" answers during its inquiry.

"Atty. Lotoc emphasized that the detention of Atty. Lopez was not the cause of the threats," Tolosa added.

For her part, Zamora said the defense itself had effectively admitted the authenticity of Duterte's statements by arguing that they were an "unconventional but justified" response to the situation.

Because of this, Zamora said there was no need for the impeachment court to hear the testimonies of Lopez and House security official Capt. Belinda Bello on Article IV of the complaint.

Article IV accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust over her alleged admission that she had arranged for the assassination of President Marcos, the First Lady, and Romualdez, as well as for allegedly making grave threats and inciting sedition.

"The defense team themselves said the video is authentic, and they admitted that the Vice President made those statements. They even argued that she said those things because she was speaking as a mother, as a daughter, and that she was responding to threats," Zamora said.

"But in essence, the defense is admitting that she made the statements—and that those statements were threats," she added.

During a livestream on November 23, 2024, Duterte said: "Huwag kang mag-alala, Ma'am, sa security ko, kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sabi ko sa kanya, kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez."

(Don't worry about my security because I have already spoken to someone. I told that person that if I am killed, kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.)

"No joke, no joke. Nagbilin na ako, Ma'am. 'Pag mamatay ako, sabi ko, huwag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila. And he said yes," she continued.

(No joke. I already gave instructions that if I die, don't stop until you have killed them. And he said yes.)— MCG, GMA News