Sara Duterte impeachment trial Day 8: Matibag stands by 'threat' testimony, VP in The Hague

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte proceeded Tuesday with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag testifying on Article IV, referring to the supposed grave threat and assassination plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family.

As this developed, lawyer Michael Poa, one of the defense counsels, said the Vice President is currently in The Hague after securing a travel authority from the government.

Here are other things that happened on Day 8 of the trial:

Defense

During the cross-examination, the defense questioned the credibility and possible bias of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag against Duterte.

Defense lawyer Mark Vinluan scrutinized Matibag’s testimony on the NBI’s first investigation into Duterte’s alleged grave threats against Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez as “hearsay”, citing Matibag’s lack of personal knowledge on the probe.

The NBI launched the probe in November 2024 while Matibag only assumed his position last February.

In asserting his credibility, Vinluan asked the NBI chief to confirm the alleged signature of his wife, Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag, on a House resolution which set forth the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

Matibag confirmed his wife was one of the endorsers of the resolution but said his job is separate from his wife’s mandate.

The defense presented a recent Social Weather Survey showing Duterte’s increased trust rating to question the allegations of betrayal of public trust against her. Matibag said a survey is just a “snapshot” and explained the NBI could not be “swayed by public opinion or personal opinions” in fulfilling its mandate, including conducting investigations.

Vinluan showed Matibag’s previous opinion columns seemingly criticizing Duterte.

The defense requested that it could continue its cross-examination of Matibag on Wednesday, June 22, citing new documents such as the statement of alleged DDS hitman Arturo Lascanas. The court approved their request.

In a separate interview, Poa expressed satisfaction over the cross-examination, saying they fulfilled some of their targets.

Poa also explained the defense “meant no offense” in mentioning Matibag’s spouse but said it was done to test the NBI chief’s credibility and bias.

Prosecution

The prosecution panel said that a written dissent by a senator-judge will not overturn the ruling of the Senate impeachment court to issue subpoenas for the bank records of Duterte

Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro called on Matibag as the final witness on the article of impeachment detailing the grave threats against Marcos

Matibag said the NBI considered the possibility of a conspiracy between Sara Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte due to similar remarks about wanting the president’s head

The NBI director said a threat to Marcos’ life constitutes a threat to national security. He also said Duterte’s remarks are no longer a threat but a “confession.

Matibag said the NBI has identified persons of interest in connection to the individual allegedly hired by Duterte to kill Marcos and others if she dies. He declined to disclose their names

Matibag said the NBI also looked into the affidavit of former Davao senior police officer Arturo Lascañas to the ICC, which mentioned Duterte. Senator Pia Cayetano slammed the document for not being notarized

Impeachment court

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero admonished and reminded Matibag to refrain from making statements directed towards particular senator-judges.

Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced an adjusted schedule for the impeachment trial:

No trial on July 27, to give way to the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

No trial on July 28, to allow senators from the minority bloc to prepare for and deliver their so-called “Kontra-SONA.”

On July 29, trial will resume at 10 a.m.

Beginning in August, the impeachment trial will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday.

Several senator-judges have expressed reservations about the ruling of the impeachment court to issue a subpoena for the bank, tax, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, beginning 2007. —LDF, GMA News