The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its third day on Wednesday, July 8, with her defense team set to cross-examine the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) witness presented by the House prosecution panel.

The trial, which began on July 6, will continue with discussions on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which focuses on allegations involving an alleged assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting to sedition against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The prosecution presented its first witness, Senior NBI Agent John Mark Calilung, on Tuesday, July 7.

House prosecution panel set to continue presenting witnesses and evidence under the Articles of Impeachment

The impeachment trial involves four articles of impeachment filed against Duterte, covering allegations related to confidential funds, unexplained wealth, corruption, and threats against government officials.

Before Day 3 of the impeachment trial began, Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday invoked a basketball analogy to explain the importance of following rules during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that order and fairness cannot be maintained without clear procedures.

Speaking at the opening of Day 3 of the impeachment proceedings on July 8, Cayetano said the Senate must continue to uphold its rules even if such actions could be perceived as delaying or obstructing the trial.

“Nothing in this world will run well without the rules,” Cayetano told her fellow senator-judges.

She compared the Senate proceedings to a basketball game, noting that the sport would not be possible without regulations that govern how it is played.

“Now, my colleagues, the Senate is a basketball-loving Senate. Dami dito ang hilig mag-basketball. Kung ako volleyball player, colleagues ko basketball. I’ll use basketball as an example. Will you have a decent basketball game if there’s no rules?” she said.

During the third day of the impeachment trial, Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero declared a quorum after 20 senators were present.

Lawyer Carlo Narvasa led the defense panel, while Virgil Ligutan represented the prosecution during the proceedings.

Narvasa proceeded with his cross-examination of Calilung, who previously testified on the handling, preservation, and verification of digital evidence related to Duterte’s alleged remarks in November 2024.

Ligutan raised several objections to the questions asked by Defense Counsel Narvasa during the cross-examination of Calilung.

The objections involved Narvasa’s questions regarding Calilung’s training from Maxcor Inter-Ventures Co. and the affidavits related to the NBI’s investigation into the Vice President’s alleged “grave threats” case.

The defense counsel moved to unseal a flash drive containing video evidence and played selected portions of recordings of Duterte’s alleged grave threats against the president, first lady and Romualdez.

The Senate impeachment court granted the motion, allowing the defense to access and present portions of the video evidence during the proceedings.

Calilung said the agency conducted a motu proprio investigation, or an inquiry initiated on its own initiative.

As the cross-examination continues, Narvasa asked Calilung if he understood the meaning of his statement.

The defense panel then presented a video showing Duterte’s Chief of Staff, Zuleika Lopez, during the November 2024 media livestream, saying that she would be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women after she was cited in contempt by the House of Representatives.

“We did not,” said Calilung.

Calilung said he "faithfully" transcribed the screen-recorded video of the Vice President’s press conference on November 23, 2024.

Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo asked Calilung about his experience in social media analytics.