Day 4 of VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: NBI Witness Testifies on Grave Threats

In a recent ANC 24/7 report covering the ongoing proceedings, the Philippine Senate in Pasay City hosted Day 4 of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte on July 13, 2026. The session centered on Article IV involving grave threats, with National Bureau of Investigation-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc taking the stand as the prosecution's second witness.

NBI Testimony Details Intent and Capability in Threats

Lotoc testified that the NBI investigation established Vice President Sara Duterte possessed intent, motive, and capability to carry out threats issued during her November 23, 2024 Zoom press conference against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The NBI conducted open-source checks to verify if similar statements had appeared in prior public remarks by the vice president.

Prosecution counsel Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan presented Lotoc specifically on Article IV. Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero directed Ligutan to rephrase one question during the examination, noting concerns over phrasing that touched on freedom of expression limits.

This testimony directly ties into the House of Representatives' May 11, 2026 impeachment action that launched the Senate trial on July 6, 2026. Families in Quezon City and Davao City who follow national security matters now track how such findings could shape public trust in leadership accountability.

Prosecution Adjusts Schedule for NBI Director Matibag

House prosecutors requested NBI Director Melvin Matibag to appear on July 14 instead of a later date. Iloilo Representative Lorenz Defensor made the request after citing Matibag's letter about an invitation from the FBI and Royal Thai Police for a regional summit on scam centers in Thailand.

The adjustment reflects coordination between Philippine law enforcement and international partners. Workers in Cebu and Baguio who rely on stable government institutions see these scheduling moves as signs that the trial process continues despite external commitments.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated he remains unfazed by criticisms regarding his decision to step back from the presiding role. He emphasized that personal friendship with Vice President Duterte and existing Senate alliances will not influence his commitment to fairness throughout the trial.

Senate Leadership Addresses Internal Adjustments

Gatchalian observed that the Senate has begun returning to normal operations following an orderly start to the proceedings. Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero noted that some senators continue to feel nangangapa while finding their footing but pledged faster proceedings in the weeks ahead.

Escudero welcomed the possibility of a Supreme Court review on the 16-vote conviction threshold question. San Juan Representative Belle Zamora stated that prosecutors expect the voting threshold issue to reach the Supreme Court yet confirmed they will not file the challenge themselves.

Former House lawmaker Robert Ace Barbers indicated that the prosecution strategy will remain unchanged even if Vice President Sara Duterte appears in person. These leadership statements affect barangay-level discussions in Manila and surrounding areas where residents weigh how Senate dynamics influence daily governance.

Historical Context of Double Impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte stands as the first sitting vice president in Philippine history to face impeachment and the first to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. The current Senate trial in Pasay City marks a distinct chapter in national politics that reaches communities from Davao to the Cordillera region.

Escudero clarified he did not seek the presiding officer position but will not avoid the duty. Some senators raised questions about whether his election to the role followed proper procedure, and Escudero again welcomed any review by the Supreme Court on that matter.

These developments carry direct weight for OFWs and sari-sari store owners who monitor political stability as it affects remittances and local economies. The trial's focus on Article IV keeps attention on threats that touch presidential security and public order across the archipelago.

Broader Effects on Philippine Society

The proceedings highlight ongoing questions about institutional checks within Congress and the Senate. Residents in Pasay City and nearby areas witness the trial's physical presence in their community while families nationwide consider how leadership accountability shapes future elections.

Prosecutors continue to build their case through NBI witnesses without altering core approaches. The involvement of international partners like the FBI and Royal Thai Police adds layers to the NBI's schedule yet keeps the trial timeline intact for July 14 testimony.

Escudero's comments on accelerating future sessions signal an intent to maintain momentum. This pace matters for students and farmers who track how Senate decisions intersect with DepEd programs and agricultural support in provinces like Iloilo and beyond.

Looking Ahead in the Trial Schedule

With Lotoc's testimony complete on Article IV, attention now shifts to Matibag's upcoming appearance. The NBI's open-source work and findings on capability remain central to the prosecution's presentation of evidence.

Gatchalian's assurance of fairness and Escudero's call for quicker pacing set expectations for coming days. These elements connect to wider Philippine society where jeepney drivers and community leaders discuss how the outcome could influence political alliances ahead of future cycles.

The double impeachment record underscores the unique nature of this case. Human stories from across the country, from Manila households to Mindanao barangays, reflect the trial's reach into everyday conversations about governance and justice.