NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
NBI Says VP Sara's Threats Were 'Serious, Real And Actual'
SCREENGRAB FROM SENATE PH
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concluded that Vice President Sara Duterte's controversial remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. constituted a "serious, real and actual" threat, a senior bureau official told the Senate impeachment court on Monday.
Taking the witness stand as the House prosecution's second witness under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, NBI BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy C. Lotoc detailed how the bureau investigated Duterte's November 23, 2024 online press conference and why it ultimately recommended filing criminal complaints against her.
Lotoc, who headed the NBI Cybercrime Division when the investigation began, said the bureau had the legal authority to handle the case under Republic Act No. 10867, or the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act, which gives the agency primary jurisdiction over cases involving threats against the country's highest government officials.
"Well, under the law, specifically Republic Act 10867, the NBI has primary jurisdiction to undertake investigations on cases among others, cases involving threats to security and assault against the persons of the highest officials," Lotoc testified.
He explained that the law covers the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice.
According to Lotoc, investigators examined Duterte's public statements, her demeanor during the online press conference, previous remarks she made in October 2024, the reactions of those allegedly threatened, and statements issued by several government agencies.
After reviewing the evidence, the NBI concluded that Duterte's statements went beyond emotional outbursts.
"To me, as the chief investigator at that time, the utterance made by the Vice President was serious, and the threat was real and actual, sir," Lotoc told the impeachment court.
He said investigators considered four major factors in reaching that conclusion: the manner in which the statements were delivered, their literal meaning, the alleged instruction given by Duterte, and her relationship with President Marcos.
Lotoc testified that investigators found Duterte's demeanor during the November 23 online briefing particularly significant.
"The Vice President was furious and fuming mad when she uttered those," he said.
He added that the investigation also considered Duterte's previous statements during an October 18, 2024 press conference, including the remarks "Gusto kong tanggalin yung ulo niya" and "I imagine myself cutting his head," which investigators viewed as relevant in determining intent.
The NBI also examined Duterte's statement that she had allegedly instructed someone not to stop until President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez were killed if anything happened to her.
Lotoc said investigators viewed that statement as an indication that the alleged threat was deliberate.
"Mahalaga po 'yan para sa amin. Basically, it's indicative of intent that the utterances was deliberately made by the Vice President. And it really shows serious, actual, and real threat, Your Honor," he testified.
He added that the statement raised concerns that other individuals or groups could exploit the situation, potentially creating public disorder or threatening national stability.
As part of its investigation, the NBI also reviewed statements issued by the National Security Council (NSC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), all of which treated the alleged threats seriously.
Lotoc quoted the NSC as stating:
"The National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious. Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security."
He also cited the PNP's statement describing the alleged threat as a matter requiring the "highest level of urgency," while noting that the AFP reaffirmed its commitment to the Constitution and the chain of command.
During questioning by Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero, Lotoc confirmed that the bureau found sufficient basis to file criminal complaints against Duterte.
Asked whether the investigation established enough evidence to support the filing of charges, Lotoc replied:
"Yes your honor, based on our findings we believe that the vice president committed a crime of grave threat and inciting to sedition."
Escudero then asked whether the bureau's findings satisfied the legal requirement of prima facie evidence.
"Prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction," Lotoc responded.
The NBI eventually filed complaints against Duterte for three counts of grave threats and one count of inciting to sedition based on its investigation.
The testimony forms part of the House prosecution's presentation under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will continue hearing witnesses as both the prosecution and defense present their respective cases before the senator-judges decide whether the evidence supports the impeachment charge.
Taking the witness stand as the House prosecution's second witness under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, NBI BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy C. Lotoc detailed how the bureau investigated Duterte's November 23, 2024 online press conference and why it ultimately recommended filing criminal complaints against her.
Lotoc, who headed the NBI Cybercrime Division when the investigation began, said the bureau had the legal authority to handle the case under Republic Act No. 10867, or the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act, which gives the agency primary jurisdiction over cases involving threats against the country's highest government officials.
"Well, under the law, specifically Republic Act 10867, the NBI has primary jurisdiction to undertake investigations on cases among others, cases involving threats to security and assault against the persons of the highest officials," Lotoc testified.
He explained that the law covers the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice.
According to Lotoc, investigators examined Duterte's public statements, her demeanor during the online press conference, previous remarks she made in October 2024, the reactions of those allegedly threatened, and statements issued by several government agencies.
After reviewing the evidence, the NBI concluded that Duterte's statements went beyond emotional outbursts.
"To me, as the chief investigator at that time, the utterance made by the Vice President was serious, and the threat was real and actual, sir," Lotoc told the impeachment court.
He said investigators considered four major factors in reaching that conclusion: the manner in which the statements were delivered, their literal meaning, the alleged instruction given by Duterte, and her relationship with President Marcos.
Lotoc testified that investigators found Duterte's demeanor during the November 23 online briefing particularly significant.
"The Vice President was furious and fuming mad when she uttered those," he said.
He added that the investigation also considered Duterte's previous statements during an October 18, 2024 press conference, including the remarks "Gusto kong tanggalin yung ulo niya" and "I imagine myself cutting his head," which investigators viewed as relevant in determining intent.
The NBI also examined Duterte's statement that she had allegedly instructed someone not to stop until President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez were killed if anything happened to her.
Lotoc said investigators viewed that statement as an indication that the alleged threat was deliberate.
"Mahalaga po 'yan para sa amin. Basically, it's indicative of intent that the utterances was deliberately made by the Vice President. And it really shows serious, actual, and real threat, Your Honor," he testified.
He added that the statement raised concerns that other individuals or groups could exploit the situation, potentially creating public disorder or threatening national stability.
As part of its investigation, the NBI also reviewed statements issued by the National Security Council (NSC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), all of which treated the alleged threats seriously.
Lotoc quoted the NSC as stating:
"The National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious. Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security."
He also cited the PNP's statement describing the alleged threat as a matter requiring the "highest level of urgency," while noting that the AFP reaffirmed its commitment to the Constitution and the chain of command.
During questioning by Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero, Lotoc confirmed that the bureau found sufficient basis to file criminal complaints against Duterte.
Asked whether the investigation established enough evidence to support the filing of charges, Lotoc replied:
"Yes your honor, based on our findings we believe that the vice president committed a crime of grave threat and inciting to sedition."
Escudero then asked whether the bureau's findings satisfied the legal requirement of prima facie evidence.
"Prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction," Lotoc responded.
The NBI eventually filed complaints against Duterte for three counts of grave threats and one count of inciting to sedition based on its investigation.
The testimony forms part of the House prosecution's presentation under Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will continue hearing witnesses as both the prosecution and defense present their respective cases before the senator-judges decide whether the evidence supports the impeachment charge.
Jul 13, 2026
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