Matibag says testimony vs Sara Duterte guided by evidence, justice

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Friday he was guided by evidence and justice when he gave his testimony during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“You have to tell the truth. We seek justice… We are guided by justice, guided by the evidence, the rule of law, by the procedure. And, at the end of the day, from law enforcement, we want law and order,” he said in an ambush interview.

Matibag was the House prosecution panel’s last witness for Article IV, which accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betraying public trust in connection with her alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others.

The NBI chief. meanwhile, said it was normal for the public to have differing points of view when asked how he will address the criticisms on social media regarding his testimony.

“Sa palagay ko naman, I was able to present kung ano ‘yung mga basehan natin. It’s being alleged as hearsay but under the rule, this is an exception to the hearsay rule. Bakit? Because I am now a custodian of the records na naiwan noon, those are official records,” he said.

(In my view, I was able to present the bases for our position. It is being alleged as hearsay, but under the rules, this is an exception to the hearsay rule. Why? Because I am now the custodian of the records that were left behind, and those are official records.)

Matibag said he is also “very well” following his testimony.

According to the director, he was at the DOJ to discuss the NBI operations in Pampanga with Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.

“Because we are filing mga cases doon sa, tungkol sa mga nahuli natin na metal bars na substandard. And some are loaded with hazardous materials, which will affect the health ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

Matibag said their initial findings showed that the metal bars were used in the building that collapsed in Angeles City.

He said they will have a more complete report at a later time. —AOL, GMA News