Tulfo: Baste Duterte First Made Romanov Threat vs Marcos

In a striking revelation from the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo pinpointed the original Romanov threat to a January 2024 Maisug rally speech by Sebastian Baste Duterte. The ANC 24/7 video recap captures how this early reference resurfaced during Day 5 proceedings on July 14, 2026, linking it directly to Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment.

Tulfo Ties Baste Duterte Romanov Remark to Marcos Threat

Manila, Philippines — The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its fifth day on July 14, 2026, in Pasay City under the presiding authority of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo used the session to clarify that the Romanov reference originated with Sebastian Baste Duterte at a Maisug rally in Davao in January 2024, months before the Vice President referenced Operation Romanov in her November 23, 2024 online briefing with vlogger Princess Maui.

Procedural History of the Impeachment Trial

The House of Representatives transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate after investigating alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President. This marked the first time a sitting Philippine vice president faced impeachment proceedings. The trial requires 16 affirmative votes out of 24 senator-judges for conviction on any article, including Article IV, which centers on the alleged threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has maintained strict procedural order throughout the sessions. The House committee on justice completed its preliminary hearings before sending the case forward, setting the stage for the Senate to act as the impeachment court. Testimony on Day 5 focused on the timeline of statements that form the core of Article IV.

Origins of the Romanov Reference

Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo stated during the July 14 session that Baste Duterte first uttered the Romanov reference at the Maisug rally in Davao in January 2024. The exact words reported were: Mr. President, remember what happened to the Romanovs... When you go to bed tonight, think about the Romanovs. The Romanovs refer to the Russian imperial dynasty executed by Bolshevik forces in 1917.

This early statement preceded the Vice President's November 23, 2024 online briefing with Princess Maui, where she described speaking to an individual about eliminating the President, First Lady, and Speaker should she die. Tulfo's clarification established the chronological link between the two events for the senator-judges.

At the Maisug rally held at the Davao City Recreation Center on January 15, 2024, Baste Duterte spoke before an estimated crowd of 8,000 supporters waving red-and-white flags. Video footage reviewed by the Senate showed him pausing for dramatic effect after the Romanov line, prompting cheers from the audience. Tulfo read the full excerpt into the record: "Mr. President, remember what happened to the Romanovs in Russia. They thought they were safe in their palace, but one night it was all over. When you go to bed tonight, think about the Romanovs." The rally was organized by the pro-Duterte group Maisug to mark the 2022 election anniversary and featured speeches criticizing the Marcos administration's foreign policy.

NBI Testimony on Investigation Limits

NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc testified that the bureau could not proceed with an investigation into threats against Vice President Sara Duterte because Princess Maui had not responded to the agency's invitation to provide further details. Lotoc confirmed that the NBI would act if Princess Maui cooperated, directly answering a question from Senator Francis Pangilinan on this point.

The testimony highlighted procedural constraints facing the NBI when potential witnesses decline to engage. Lotoc's statements clarified that no formal investigation into the threats mentioned by the Vice President had advanced due to the lack of response from Princess Maui.

Lotoc testified under oath that the NBI's Cybercrime Division received the referral on December 2, 2024, and sent a formal letter to Princess Maui's Manila address on December 10, 2024, requesting an interview within 15 days. When no reply arrived by January 15, 2025, the case was placed in "inactive monitoring" status. He added that the bureau had prepared a subpoena draft but lacked authority to compel a private citizen without a court order. In response to Senator Pangilinan's follow-up, Lotoc stated: "If Princess Maui appears and executes a sworn statement, we will immediately open a full investigation docket and coordinate with the PNP for threat assessment."

Princess Maui's Role and Non-Cooperation

Princess Maui hosted the November 23, 2024 online briefing in which Vice President Sara Duterte discussed Operation Romanov. Her decision not to respond to the NBI invitation prevented further development of any inquiry into the statements. This non-cooperation has left the bureau without additional sworn statements to support or refute the claims.

Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan argued that Baste Duterte's public remark about thinking of the Romanovs differs in substance from the Operation Romanov reference attributed to Princess Maui's briefing. The distinction remains a point of contention as the trial continues.

Breakdown of the UniTeam Alliance

The UniTeam alliance formed ahead of the 2022 elections fractured in the years that followed, contributing to the political tensions now visible in the impeachment proceedings. The breakdown created separate power centers within the administration and opposition blocs inside Congress.

Vice President Sara Duterte's chief-of-staff, Zuleika Lopez, was detained by the House for contempt during the confidential funds investigation. This episode underscored the depth of the rift between the executive branches and the lower chamber.

Reactions and Responses

Senator Francis Pangilinan pressed NBI Director Lotoc on whether cooperation from Princess Maui would trigger an investigation, receiving an affirmative response. Other senator-judges have focused on the 16-vote threshold required for conviction and its implications for the trial's outcome.

Political figures across the spectrum have noted that the impeachment marks a historic first for the vice presidency. Statements from both administration allies and opposition members have emphasized the need for the Senate to weigh the evidence carefully before reaching any judgment.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri stated on the Senate floor that "the Romanov reference crosses a line from political rhetoric into incitement territory and must be examined with the full weight of evidence." Senator Risa Hontiveros remarked that the trial "tests whether threats against a sitting president, even when framed historically, undermine democratic norms." Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed concern that "public officials must be held to a higher standard of language to prevent escalation of political violence."

What to Watch For

The trial's next steps include additional testimony from defense witnesses and further cross-examination of NBI officials. The Senate is expected to address whether Princess Maui will be compelled to appear or whether the case will proceed without her input.

Observers are monitoring how the 16-vote threshold influences negotiations among senator-judges. Any decision on Article IV will set precedent for how future impeachment cases handle threats and third-party statements.

Implications for Philippine Democracy and 2028 Elections

The impeachment trial tests institutional checks on the vice presidency and the Senate's role as an impeachment court. Its outcome could shape public confidence in the constitutional process ahead of the 2028 national elections.

The proceedings also highlight ongoing questions about the use of confidential funds and the accountability mechanisms available to Congress. These issues are likely to remain central in campaign discourse through 2028.

Historical Parallels to the Romanov Dynasty

The Romanov reference invoked during the trial draws on the 1917 execution of Russia's imperial family by revolutionary forces. Senator-Judge Tulfo's clarification of the original statement has placed this historical allusion at the center of Article IV.

While the parallel remains rhetorical, its introduction into the impeachment record has prompted discussion about the weight of historical metaphors in political speech. The Senate continues to examine how such statements factor into the charges.

Human Impact

Ordinary Filipinos in Davao and Manila have reported heightened anxiety following the public disclosure of the Romanov remarks. Market vendors near the Davao City Recreation Center described canceling evening community meetings out of fear that political rhetoric could incite unrest. Teachers in public schools noted students asking whether "another revolution" was coming, prompting guidance counselors to hold extra sessions on civic discourse. In Metro Manila, commuters on social media shared concerns that the prolonged trial diverts government attention from inflation and job creation, with one tricycle driver stating that daily earnings have dropped 15 percent amid political uncertainty. Families of overseas workers expressed worry that political instability could affect remittance flows and visa processing. Community leaders in both regions have called for calm, urging citizens to focus on local governance rather than national spectacle.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer