NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Defensor Says Sara Threat Video Is 'Strongest' Impeachment Evidence
Photo credit: Congress PH
House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor said Wednesday that the strongest piece of evidence in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte remains the controversial video where she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Speaking during an ANC Headstart interview, Defensor said the video goes beyond political rhetoric and could qualify as an impeachable offense.
“For me, the strongest remains the video which I think is not simply a grave threat against the life of the President, but it’s a betrayal of public trust and a high crime,” Defensor said.
The video was presented and authenticated during House impeachment hearings. It came from Duterte’s virtual press conference on Nov. 23, 2024, where she claimed she had already instructed someone to kill the President, the First Lady, and Romualdez if she herself were killed.
Officials from the National Bureau of Investigation later testified before the House Committee on Justice that the video was genuine, unedited, and not AI-generated.
Defensor said Duterte’s statements should not be dismissed as ordinary political comments.
“Kung saan seryoso at determinadong sinabi ng Bise Presidente na may pumayag na at may nakaabang nang taong nakahanda na pumatay sa President at sa asawa niya. That is clearly not a simple crime, but an impeachable offense,” he said.
He added that no vice president should publicly issue threats against a sitting president, regardless of political differences.
“Hindi dapat ganoon ang conduct, hindi dapat ganoon ang attitude ng isang Bise Presidente, regardless of whoever is the President or whoever is the Vice President,” Defensor said.
“Ang bise presidenteng nagbabanta sa buhay ng Presidente ay dapat masalang sa isang paglilitis para desisyunan ito ng mga senador if she is morally fit to remain in office or she should be removed from office,” he added.
Defensor also claimed that allegations involving Duterte’s bank transactions and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) became more damaging after her camp allegedly failed to directly address them during congressional hearings.
“Lalong lumakas ‘yung mga [ebidensya] sa bank accounts at SALN niya, simply because they did not answer that in the committee hearings,” Defensor pointed out.
“Kung sinagot sana nila iyon, baka mas naliwanagan ang mga congressmen, naliwanagan ang mga Pilipinong nanonood. Ngunit dahil hindi sila sumipot, lalong nakitang matatag ang ebidensya laban sa kanya,” he added.
During the impeachment proceedings, lawmakers presented documents and testimonies tied to allegations of confidential fund misuse, unexplained wealth, questionable bank transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Duterte’s controversial remarks against top government officials.
The House Committee on Justice has already endorsed to the plenary its finding of probable cause to impeach Duterte, along with the proposed Articles of Impeachment.
Speaking during an ANC Headstart interview, Defensor said the video goes beyond political rhetoric and could qualify as an impeachable offense.
“For me, the strongest remains the video which I think is not simply a grave threat against the life of the President, but it’s a betrayal of public trust and a high crime,” Defensor said.
The video was presented and authenticated during House impeachment hearings. It came from Duterte’s virtual press conference on Nov. 23, 2024, where she claimed she had already instructed someone to kill the President, the First Lady, and Romualdez if she herself were killed.
Officials from the National Bureau of Investigation later testified before the House Committee on Justice that the video was genuine, unedited, and not AI-generated.
Defensor said Duterte’s statements should not be dismissed as ordinary political comments.
“Kung saan seryoso at determinadong sinabi ng Bise Presidente na may pumayag na at may nakaabang nang taong nakahanda na pumatay sa President at sa asawa niya. That is clearly not a simple crime, but an impeachable offense,” he said.
He added that no vice president should publicly issue threats against a sitting president, regardless of political differences.
“Hindi dapat ganoon ang conduct, hindi dapat ganoon ang attitude ng isang Bise Presidente, regardless of whoever is the President or whoever is the Vice President,” Defensor said.
“Ang bise presidenteng nagbabanta sa buhay ng Presidente ay dapat masalang sa isang paglilitis para desisyunan ito ng mga senador if she is morally fit to remain in office or she should be removed from office,” he added.
Defensor also claimed that allegations involving Duterte’s bank transactions and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) became more damaging after her camp allegedly failed to directly address them during congressional hearings.
“Lalong lumakas ‘yung mga [ebidensya] sa bank accounts at SALN niya, simply because they did not answer that in the committee hearings,” Defensor pointed out.
“Kung sinagot sana nila iyon, baka mas naliwanagan ang mga congressmen, naliwanagan ang mga Pilipinong nanonood. Ngunit dahil hindi sila sumipot, lalong nakitang matatag ang ebidensya laban sa kanya,” he added.
During the impeachment proceedings, lawmakers presented documents and testimonies tied to allegations of confidential fund misuse, unexplained wealth, questionable bank transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Duterte’s controversial remarks against top government officials.
The House Committee on Justice has already endorsed to the plenary its finding of probable cause to impeach Duterte, along with the proposed Articles of Impeachment.
May 6, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
