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House Prosecution Wraps Up Threat Case, Names Matibag Final Witness
PHOTO CREDIT: SENATE PH
The House prosecution panel is set to conclude its presentation of evidence under Article IV of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag serving as its final witness before the trial shifts to the next article.
During Wednesday's impeachment proceedings, lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the Senate impeachment court that Matibag will testify next week to complete the prosecution's presentation on allegations that Duterte committed grave threats and betrayal of public trust.
The prosecution also confirmed that it would no longer present several previously listed witnesses after determining that their testimonies would be repetitive or no longer necessary.
Among those withdrawn were Duterte's former chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, Capt. Belinda Bello, a representative from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, journalists Mikhail Flores and Bonz Magsambol, Sheriff Abe Andres, a relative of one of the alleged victims, and a psychiatrist.
According to Luistro, the prosecution decided to streamline its witness list after reviewing the evidence already presented before the impeachment court.
She explained that testimony intended to establish Duterte's ownership of firearms was no longer necessary because the government had already demonstrated that authorities treated the alleged threats seriously, leading to a full-scale investigation and the recommendation to file criminal complaints.
The prosecution also said there was no longer a need to present journalists who covered Duterte's controversial Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference after NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung authenticated the video recordings and the defense later acknowledged that the videos were genuine.
With the presentation of evidence under Article IV nearing completion, the House prosecution is preparing to begin presenting its case under Article I, which centers on allegations involving Vice President Duterte's use of confidential funds.
As part of that phase, prosecutors asked the impeachment court to issue subpoenas for three witnesses expected to testify on July 22. These include Marivic Pareja of the House Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service, as well as former LandBank branch managers Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano, who are expected to provide testimony related to confidential fund transactions.
The transition marks a new phase of the impeachment trial as prosecutors shift from allegations of grave threats to examining the Vice President's handling of confidential funds, one of the key issues raised in the Articles of Impeachment.
During Wednesday's impeachment proceedings, lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the Senate impeachment court that Matibag will testify next week to complete the prosecution's presentation on allegations that Duterte committed grave threats and betrayal of public trust.
The prosecution also confirmed that it would no longer present several previously listed witnesses after determining that their testimonies would be repetitive or no longer necessary.
Among those withdrawn were Duterte's former chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, Capt. Belinda Bello, a representative from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, journalists Mikhail Flores and Bonz Magsambol, Sheriff Abe Andres, a relative of one of the alleged victims, and a psychiatrist.
According to Luistro, the prosecution decided to streamline its witness list after reviewing the evidence already presented before the impeachment court.
She explained that testimony intended to establish Duterte's ownership of firearms was no longer necessary because the government had already demonstrated that authorities treated the alleged threats seriously, leading to a full-scale investigation and the recommendation to file criminal complaints.
The prosecution also said there was no longer a need to present journalists who covered Duterte's controversial Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference after NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung authenticated the video recordings and the defense later acknowledged that the videos were genuine.
With the presentation of evidence under Article IV nearing completion, the House prosecution is preparing to begin presenting its case under Article I, which centers on allegations involving Vice President Duterte's use of confidential funds.
As part of that phase, prosecutors asked the impeachment court to issue subpoenas for three witnesses expected to testify on July 22. These include Marivic Pareja of the House Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service, as well as former LandBank branch managers Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano, who are expected to provide testimony related to confidential fund transactions.
The transition marks a new phase of the impeachment trial as prosecutors shift from allegations of grave threats to examining the Vice President's handling of confidential funds, one of the key issues raised in the Articles of Impeachment.
Jul 15, 2026
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