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Prosecution To Present New Witness As VP Sara Defense Questions 'Hitman' Claim
Photo credit: Senate PH
The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte took another turn on Wednesday after House prosecutors confirmed they will present another witness regarding the alleged "hitman" linked to Duterte's controversial November 2024 remarks, while the defense insisted there is no evidence she ever hired an assassin.
The issue arose after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, the prosecution's first witness, testified that he did not personally investigate the alleged hitman mentioned by Duterte during her Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference.
During the proceedings, Senator-judge Bam Aquino asked whether the prosecution intended to present another witness on the alleged hitman.
Prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan replied, "As to the alleged hitman, Your Honor, yes."
The prosecution has argued that Duterte's Nov. 23, 2024 statements—where she said she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed—form part of the impeachment charge involving grave threats and betrayal of public trust. Prosecutors said they intend to present additional evidence and witnesses to support the allegation.
The defense, however, maintained that the prosecution has failed to prove its case.
Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan argued that no competent evidence has been presented showing that Duterte actually hired or contracted an assassin.
"It is a waste of this honorable court's time and the Filipino people's money. Si VP Sara na mismo ang nagsabi na hindi assassin ang kinausap niya — this term only came from people who took her statements out of their proper context and tried to exaggerate them for what they really meant," Vinluan said.
Vinluan also pointed out that the prosecution had acknowledged the viral Nov. 23, 2024 video only establishes that Duterte made the statements, but does not by itself prove she acted on them by hiring an assassin.
The defense further argued that Duterte's remarks were made while she believed she and her family were under threat from what it described as "Operation Romanov."
"This is proven by classified casing reports, her trusted security personnel were removed, her schedule of official functions like the one in Naga was leaked by intelligence agents and her security was heavily compromised," Vinluan said.
"She suffered various forms of threats and harassment for many months from the powers that be and the culmination of her statement on that fateful early morning in November 2024."
Vinluan also argued that even if Duterte's remarks were considered criminal, the matter should fall under the jurisdiction of the regular courts rather than the impeachment court because the alleged offense carries the penalty of prision correccional.
"While her response was unconventional, it was justified," he said.
The prosecution is expected to call another witness regarding the alleged hitman as the Senate impeachment court continues hearing Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which centers on Duterte's controversial public statements in November 2024.
The issue arose after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, the prosecution's first witness, testified that he did not personally investigate the alleged hitman mentioned by Duterte during her Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference.
During the proceedings, Senator-judge Bam Aquino asked whether the prosecution intended to present another witness on the alleged hitman.
Prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan replied, "As to the alleged hitman, Your Honor, yes."
The prosecution has argued that Duterte's Nov. 23, 2024 statements—where she said she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed—form part of the impeachment charge involving grave threats and betrayal of public trust. Prosecutors said they intend to present additional evidence and witnesses to support the allegation.
The defense, however, maintained that the prosecution has failed to prove its case.
Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan argued that no competent evidence has been presented showing that Duterte actually hired or contracted an assassin.
"It is a waste of this honorable court's time and the Filipino people's money. Si VP Sara na mismo ang nagsabi na hindi assassin ang kinausap niya — this term only came from people who took her statements out of their proper context and tried to exaggerate them for what they really meant," Vinluan said.
Vinluan also pointed out that the prosecution had acknowledged the viral Nov. 23, 2024 video only establishes that Duterte made the statements, but does not by itself prove she acted on them by hiring an assassin.
The defense further argued that Duterte's remarks were made while she believed she and her family were under threat from what it described as "Operation Romanov."
"This is proven by classified casing reports, her trusted security personnel were removed, her schedule of official functions like the one in Naga was leaked by intelligence agents and her security was heavily compromised," Vinluan said.
"She suffered various forms of threats and harassment for many months from the powers that be and the culmination of her statement on that fateful early morning in November 2024."
Vinluan also argued that even if Duterte's remarks were considered criminal, the matter should fall under the jurisdiction of the regular courts rather than the impeachment court because the alleged offense carries the penalty of prision correccional.
"While her response was unconventional, it was justified," he said.
The prosecution is expected to call another witness regarding the alleged hitman as the Senate impeachment court continues hearing Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which centers on Duterte's controversial public statements in November 2024.
Jul 8, 2026
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