NBI Testimony Reveals Duterte Threats in Senate Trial

The impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte has escalated with explosive testimony from the NBI, revealing alleged threats against top officials and stirring fresh political tensions across the country. As senator-judges weigh evidence of past violence and secret plans, ordinary Filipinos wonder how this power struggle will affect their daily lives and the 2027 elections.

NBI Testimony Reveals Duterte Threats in Senate Trial

Manila, Philippines — Article continues...

NBI Director Details Alleged Threats in Senate Hearing

NBI Director Melvin Matibag took the stand as the final prosecution witness during the July 21 session. He described how the National Bureau of Investigation examined statements from Vice President Duterte about contracting someone to kill President Marcos if anything happened to her. Matibag told the court that these words crossed from threat into what he called a confession of a plan.

The NBI identified several persons of interest during its probe but withheld their names to protect informants and maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation. This testimony focused on events tied to Davao City and national political tensions that have reached barangays across the country.

Five Criteria Used to Assess Pattern of Violence

Matibag outlined five specific criteria the NBI applied to evaluate the seriousness of the alleged threats. These included pattern of violence, gravity and seriousness of the incident, identity of those involved, capability or capacity, and motive and intent. He emphasized that the pattern of violence criterion drew from documented past incidents involving the Vice President.

One cited case occurred in 2011 when Duterte served as Davao City mayor. Court footage shown during the hearing captured her punching a sheriff at least four times. The NBI linked this event to later actions to build its assessment of repeated behavior.

Defense lawyers countered that these incidents reflect isolated moments of stress rather than any sustained pattern, arguing the 2011 event was a spontaneous reaction during a heated property dispute and should not be stretched to imply criminal intent years later. They warned that admitting such historical episodes risks turning the impeachment into a character trial instead of a focused legal proceeding. Legal observers note that Philippine jurisprudence on grave threats requires clear proof of present danger, not merely past conduct, which could limit how much weight the senator-judges ultimately give the NBI criteria.

Lascañas ICC Affidavit Introduced as Evidence

Matibag read excerpts from former Davao senior police officer Arturo Lascañas' 186-page affidavit submitted to the International Criminal Court. The document claimed that Duterte acted as one of the architects of Oplan Tokhang during her time as Davao mayor from 2012 to 2013. Lascañas stated that the operation received clearance and approval from then-mayor Sara Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The affidavit further described orders to kidnap shabu users and bury them in a quarry rather than conduct public killings. Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan immediately objected, labeling the statements hearsay that could mislead the senator-judges. The Senate court noted the objection but allowed portions of the reading to continue.

Escudero Admonishes Witness Over Remarks on Senators

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero issued a direct admonition to Matibag during the hearing. The warning followed a heated exchange involving the Cayetano senators and cautioned the NBI director to remain careful when referring to senator-judges. Escudero stressed that comments must stay within the bounds of the evidence presented.

This exchange occurred inside the Senate session hall in Manila and highlighted the procedural rules that govern the 20 senator-judges currently participating in the trial. Observers in the gallery from Quezon City and nearby provinces watched the exchange unfold.

The Matibag-Cayetano word war erupted when Senator Alan Peter Cayetano pressed the NBI chief on whether political pressure influenced the investigation timeline. Matibag replied that the bureau followed standard protocols without favoritism, prompting Cayetano to accuse him of evading direct answers. Escudero quickly stepped in, reminding both sides that personal exchanges distract from the evidence and urging everyone to keep remarks respectful. The brief but sharp exchange underscored how family political ties can surface even inside the supposedly neutral Senate chamber.

Malacanang Pushes for Subpoenas on Financial Records

Malacanang officials stated that the Senate impeachment court should issue subpoenas for Vice President Duterte's bank and tax records. This position followed an earlier ruling on the prosecution's request for access to financial documents. The Department of Budget and Management has already flagged related spending patterns in previous fiscal reports.

Such records could reveal funding flows connected to political activities in Davao and Metro Manila. Families in sari-sari store communities and OFW households have expressed concern that prolonged political disputes may delay local infrastructure projects funded through national budgets.

Other National Developments This Week

President Marcos Jr. summoned China's ambassador this week after Chinese Coast Guard actions injured two Filipino navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal. The Department of Foreign Affairs coordinated the meeting in Manila. Separately, the President named General Antonio Nafarrete as the new military chief, a move that affects Armed Forces of the Philippines deployments nationwide.

Diesel and kerosene prices rose more than P10 per liter during the same period. Jeepney drivers in Cebu and Baguio reported immediate effects on daily routes, while farmers in Davao del Sur adjusted planting schedules due to higher transport costs.

How the Trial Affects Everyday Filipino Lives

The impeachment proceedings reach beyond the Senate chamber into households in Manila's Tondo district and rural barangays in Davao. Workers and students follow updates because political stability influences job security and school funding decisions by the Department of Education.

Community leaders in Quezon City note that bayanihan spirit remains strong even amid national tensions. They organize local discussions to explain how Senate actions on threats and violence connect to public safety programs run by the Philippine National Police. These conversations help families plan for potential changes in local governance and economic support.

The trial's focus on documented incidents from 2011 onward shows how past events in Davao continue to shape current national debates. Residents across the archipelago watch closely as the Senate weighs evidence that could influence leadership transitions and policy priorities for years ahead.

The Shifting Duterte-Marcos Relationship and the Road to 2027

The once-solid alliance between the Duterte and Marcos camps has frayed under the weight of these proceedings. What began as a united front after the 2022 elections now shows open cracks, with allies in Davao and Manila trading pointed statements through media. Ordinary Filipinos in both regions feel the strain, as local projects tied to national funding slow while politicians trade accusations. For the 2027 elections, analysts see this trial as an early test of voter loyalty, with younger voters in urban centers watching whether the Senate can deliver impartial justice or simply mirror elite rivalries. The outcome may reshape how regional political machines negotiate power-sharing deals ahead of the next presidential race.

What to Watch For

As the Senate trial moves forward, attention will turn to whether additional witnesses from Davao are called and how the court handles the pending financial subpoena requests. Observers will also monitor any public statements from former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose influence still resonates in many Mindanao communities. On the streets, community forums in places like Tondo and Davao del Sur will continue to discuss how the verdict might affect peace and order programs and local budgets. The coming weeks could reveal whether the proceedings strengthen or further erode public trust in national institutions.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer