Let NBI chief ‘speak his truth’ on VP Duterte’s threats vs Marcos – Ridon

NBI Director Melvin Matibag —File photo by Mary Joy Salcedo | INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Director Melvin Matibag of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should give the full findings of the probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he testifies during her impeachment trial on Tuesday — regardless of what issues senator-judges may raise. “We don’t know what will happen when Director Matibag takes the stand. But, of course, our focus is to let him speak his truth, particularly on the whole comprehensive investigation that the NBI did,” Rep. Terry Ridon said in a mix of Filipino and English during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City. That was Ridon’s reply to a question on whether senator-judges could raise objections or matters unrelated to the impeachment case when Matibag testifies before the Senate impeachment court. Article continues after this advertisement The impeachment article stems from Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference, during which she said she had instructed someone to kill President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez — if she herself were killed. The NBI investigated the remarks and recommended the filing of criminal charges for grave threats and inciting to sedition. Full results of NBI probe According to Ridon, Matibag is expected to present the result of the NBI’s overall investigation into Duterte’s remarks, including whether authorities found indications that the alleged threats against the president and his family remain ongoing. “Basically, he’s giving the full report on the NBI investigation into the threats made by the vice president and whether there exist continuing threats by the vice president on the president and his family,” Ridon said. The impeachment court has so far heard only from the NBI’s Cybercrime Division through the testimonies of Senior Agent John Mark Calilung and NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc. Article continues after this advertisement He said Matibag would provide a broader account of the investigation by discussing the work of other NBI offices that participated in the probe. Explosive testimony? Asked about what he had earlier described as a potentially explosive testimony, Ridon declined to elaborate. Article continues after this advertisement “If I tell you that now, it won’t be explosive anymore. So let’s just wait for the testimony of Director Matibag,” he said. Ridon said the prosecution would leave it to the senator-judges to decide whether to take up issues outside the impeachment complaint during Matibag’s appearance. “As to what the senator-judges would do on extraneous matters not related to the impeachment, we leave it to them. After all, they also have the right to raise various issues here in our hearing,” he said. Matibag is expected to be the prosecution’s final witness on the impeachment article accusing Duterte of grave threats, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. The House prosecution has said it would then present evidence on the article involving Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds after his testimony. /atm