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FULL - Day 8 of VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial | GMA News

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Day 8 Overview

Day 8 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial focused mainly on the prosecution’s direct examination of NBI Director Attorney Melvin Matibag (Article 4: grave threats/inciting sedition). The day also featured extensive evidentiary disputes covering relevance and due-process concerns.

Court Proceedings and Scheduling / Journal Issues

  • The impeachment court deferred action on the journal pending senator judges’ manifestations.
  • The court stated it will still approve the journal before the day’s trial ends, so parties can receive an official copy of the previous day’s ruling for possible remedies.
  • The court admitted and proceeded with the next prosecution witness: Matibag.

Prosecution Witness: NBI Director Melvin Matibag (Article 4)

1) Qualifications and Role

Both the defense and prosecution repeatedly discussed that Matibag’s testimony covered:

  • His background and authority as NBI Director, and
  • His conduct/knowledge as head of the NBI at the time he assumed office (February 2026).

The prosecution later stressed that some portions were based on NBI records and standard procedures, rather than Matibag’s personal participation in earlier investigative steps.

2) Governing Investigative Framework

Matibag testified that an NBI special task force (STF) was created to investigate threats against President Bongbong Marcos’ life, treating them as matters of national security.

Key points included:

  • The STF was established through Administrative Order (AO) No. 11 (April 16, 2026).
  • The STF composition included:
    • National Capital Region coverage,
    • Cyber Crime Division (including threats via social media),
    • Organized Crime Transnational Crime Division,
    • Technical Intelligence Division,
    • Digital Forensic Laboratory Division.
  • Matibag also described a protective intelligence methodology (the “five standards”):
    • Pattern of violence
    • Gravity/seriousness
    • Identity
    • Capacity
    • Motive/intent

3) STF Purpose and “Continuing Threat” Narrative

  • The prosecution framed the threats as “serious, active, and continuing,” extending into national security.
  • Matibag also asserted there were “events” and open-source intelligence, including rally-related materials, used to build the case and form the STF.

Major Evidentiary Disputes During Direct Examination

A) Relevance vs. “New Information” and Due Process

The defense objected to multiple prosecution propositions as:

  • Irrelevant,
  • “New information” not contained in the articles/impeachment complaint (due-process concern: VP Sara should promptly and fully know the exact charges), or
  • Improper conclusions, such as characterizing statements as “threats.”

The chair generally allowed the testimony to proceed, while indicating that objections could be raised at appropriate points.

B) Task Force Created After the Impeachment Complaint

  • The defense argued the STF was created after the impeachment complaint/articles were filed, so it should not be used to alter or expand what is charged.
  • The chair indicated that STF testimony could still be relevant to proving elements of the grave threats charge, subject to limited use and continuing objections.

C) Video Evidence (“Rage Coalition” and Press Conferences)

The court allowed playback of time-stamped segments:

  • A video tied to Mayor Sebastian Baste Duterte (Rage Coalition rally), where Matibag claimed the mayor said: “Just one head… we have the head of Bongbong Marcos.”

  • Video segments attributed to VP Sara Duterte, notably from an October 18, 2024 press conference, where the prosecution argued she referenced beheading/cutting off “his head,” tying it to grave threats.

The defense repeatedly objected that portions were:

  • vague,
  • not sufficiently connected, or
  • improperly narrated.

The chair allowed the material with a reminder that it was for limited purposes (e.g., identification and what was used in investigation), not as proof that the underlying statements were true.

“Pattern of Violence” Evidence and Affidavit Disputes (Arturo Lascas)

The prosecution attempted to establish “pattern of violence” through affidavits of Arturo Lascañas (an ICC-submitted affidavit referenced by Matibag).

Defense objections focused on:

  • Lack of personal knowledge because he did not execute the affidavit,
  • Use of copies that were potentially uncertified/unsigned/unnotarized,
  • Concern that reading the affidavit could improperly influence fact-finding and prejudice the respondent.

The court ruled that reading/identification could be treated as limited evidence—i.e., the document was used in the NBI’s investigation, not as an endorsement of the truth of the affidavit’s allegations.

Direct Testimony Ends; Court Recess

After direct examination concluded, the court declared a short recess for cross-examination.

Cross-Examination Highlights (Director Matibag)

1) No Personal Knowledge of the November 23, 2024 Investigation

The defense emphasized Matibag was not yet NBI Director during the November 23, 2024 events/investigation and therefore lacked personal participation.

Matibag agreed/maintained:

  • He had no personal knowledge of the earlier investigation steps.
  • Any knowledge of the earlier investigation was based on reading official NBI/DOJ records.

The defense also questioned subpoenas issued to media personalities and others; Matibag testified he could not have signed subpoenas before his directorship.

2) Relevance of VP Sara’s Press Conference Statements

The defense presented video portions from VP Sara’s November 23, 2024 press conference and asked whether Matibag had personal knowledge of various unrelated incidents. Matibag repeatedly answered “Nothing.”

3) Wife’s Role / Political Involvement Used for Credibility

The defense asked about Matibag’s wife (a congresswoman) being an endorser of a house resolution tied to the impeachment articles.

Matibag:

  • admitted his wife was an endorser, but
  • said he could not confirm her signature from a photocopy without proper confrontation.

The court allowed this credibility-related line of questioning.

4) Contracting Assassination vs. Grave Threats / Inciting Sedition

The defense probed whether the NBI had evidence or filings specifically about “contracting an assassination.”

Matibag testified that the DOJ/NBI filing involved grave threats and inciting to sedition, and that any assassination-contract charge was not yet formally supported at that stage (in terms of charge/subpoena details, as of the time of testimony).

He described the matter as an ongoing, open investigation, arguing due process timing would come once identities are established.

5) Independence of Investigation from the President

Cross attempted to link the President/BBM to control of the NBI investigation.

Matibag stated the NBI maintains investigative independence, even though appointments are made by the President.

6) Public Trust Rating and Editorial Authorship

  • The defense introduced a survey/public trust rating graphic and asked whether it affected the investigation; Matibag said no, emphasizing evidence-based investigation.
  • The defense also showed Matibag had written editorial columns criticizing VP Sara in 2024.
    • Matibag characterized them as opinion columns and asserted NBI work remains evidence-based and not swayed by public opinion.

Defense Request for Continuance; Chair Grants

  • The defense sought a continuance, arguing the prosecution introduced “new topics” and a large document and that more time was needed for cross-examination.
  • The presiding officer granted a continuance on that instance.

Senator Judge Interventions (Key Points)

The senator judges focused on:

  • Whether ongoing investigations could produce new developments and what procedural steps would be proper if evidence later changes (the court noted adversarial process and that reopening could be procedural, potentially by rule, leaving specifics to the parties).
  • Differences between impeachment and criminal trials (impeachment as constitutional accountability, not equivalent to “beyond reasonable doubt” criminal guilt).
  • Questions about “persons of interest” and whether they can be named; Matibag repeatedly declined due to confidentiality and protecting informants/investigation.
  • Whether actionable intelligence existed regarding threats against VP Sara’s life versus the President’s life; Matibag indicated no actionable intelligence had yet been found regarding the vice president.

Presenters / Contributors (As Named in Subtitles)

Witness / Party

  • Attorney Melvin Matibag (NBI Director)

Impeachment Court / Officials

  • Senator Judge Allan Peter Cayetano
  • Senator Judge Pia Cayetano
  • Senator Judge Raffy Tulfo
  • Senator Judge Risa Hontiveros
  • Senator Judge Joel Villanueva
  • Senator Judge Rono “Rinos” (as transcribed)
  • Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (transcribed as “Sherwin Galan”)
  • Presiding Officer / Chair (name not clearly stated in subtitles)
  • Clerk of Court (not named)

Prosecution / Defense

  • Lead prosecutor (referred to as “Luistro” / “honorable Luistro” in subtitles; full name not clearly given)
  • Attorney Vin (defense counsel, as referenced)
  • Attorney Vin Loan (as referenced)
  • Attorney Kyle Kapunan (prosecution assisting counsel, referenced)
  • Counsel for the respondent / defense panel (names not fully specified beyond references)

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