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NBI Witness Faces Tough Questions Over Probe At VP Sara Trial
PHOTO CREDIT: ERWIN TULFO
The National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged grave threats came under close scrutiny on Monday as prosecution witness NBI BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc faced tough questioning during the Senate impeachment trial.
Lotoc, the prosecution's second witness for the article of impeachment on grave threats, took the stand to explain the NBI's investigation into Duterte's remarks that became the subject of a criminal complaint and later formed part of the impeachment case.
One of the issues raised during the hearing involved an apparent discrepancy in the dates indicated on the NBI's documents.
Senator-Judge Imee Marcos questioned why both the Affidavit of Investigation and the subpoena appeared to bear the date November 6, 2024.
In response, Lotoc clarified that the Affidavit of Investigation should have been dated December 11, 2024, explaining that the November date was the result of a typographical error.
The clarification prompted further questions from the senator-judges regarding the preparation of the documents presented by the prosecution.
Lotoc also faced pointed questions from Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano, who challenged the manner in which the NBI conducted its investigation into Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During his questioning, Cayetano told the witness, “Hindi kayo nag-imbestigang mabuti,” as he raised concerns about the bureau's investigative process and the evidence it relied on.
Lotoc defended the NBI's work, explaining that investigators followed standard procedures in evaluating the Vice President's public statements before filing the appropriate complaint.
Earlier in the hearing, prosecution counsel Atty. Virgil Ligutan conducted the direct examination of Lotoc, presenting documentary evidence related to the NBI's investigation.
The prosecution has argued that Duterte's public statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez constitute grave threats and form part of the evidence supporting Article IV of the impeachment complaint.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to hear more witnesses in the coming days as the House prosecution panel continues presenting its evidence on the first article of impeachment.
Lotoc, the prosecution's second witness for the article of impeachment on grave threats, took the stand to explain the NBI's investigation into Duterte's remarks that became the subject of a criminal complaint and later formed part of the impeachment case.
One of the issues raised during the hearing involved an apparent discrepancy in the dates indicated on the NBI's documents.
Senator-Judge Imee Marcos questioned why both the Affidavit of Investigation and the subpoena appeared to bear the date November 6, 2024.
In response, Lotoc clarified that the Affidavit of Investigation should have been dated December 11, 2024, explaining that the November date was the result of a typographical error.
The clarification prompted further questions from the senator-judges regarding the preparation of the documents presented by the prosecution.
Lotoc also faced pointed questions from Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano, who challenged the manner in which the NBI conducted its investigation into Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During his questioning, Cayetano told the witness, “Hindi kayo nag-imbestigang mabuti,” as he raised concerns about the bureau's investigative process and the evidence it relied on.
Lotoc defended the NBI's work, explaining that investigators followed standard procedures in evaluating the Vice President's public statements before filing the appropriate complaint.
Earlier in the hearing, prosecution counsel Atty. Virgil Ligutan conducted the direct examination of Lotoc, presenting documentary evidence related to the NBI's investigation.
The prosecution has argued that Duterte's public statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez constitute grave threats and form part of the evidence supporting Article IV of the impeachment complaint.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to hear more witnesses in the coming days as the House prosecution panel continues presenting its evidence on the first article of impeachment.
Jul 13, 2026
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