The Senate is set to resume the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag expected to take the witness stand.
Matibag will serve as the final witness for the House prosecution panel on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which centers on Duterte's alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as allegations that she incited sedition through her public statements.
According to House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., the NBI chief is expected to testify on the bureau’s investigation into Duterte’s alleged death threat against President Marcos, marking the conclusion of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence for the fourth impeachment article.
Senate opens Day 8 of VP Duterte Impeachment Trial
The Senate formally opens the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, with 20 senator-judges in attendance.
Senator Ping Lacson leads a one-minute silent prayer, saying, “Let us all pause for one minute of silent prayer for humility, wisdom, neutrality, and fairness.”
NBI Director Melvin Matibag testifies in VP Duterte Impeachment Trial
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag takes his oath and appears before the Senate impeachment court as a witness in the eighth day of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21.
Matibag testifies in connection with Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns the alleged grave threats attributed to the Vice President.
Escudero reminds Senators to preserve court's integrity
Presiding Officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero reminds members of the Senate impeachment court to avoid making statements that could affect the court's independence and integrity, as well as the impartiality of the senator-judges.
He says the remarks made by Senator-Judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano regarding National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag and the video evidence “shall be referred to the Senate as a legislative body” and endorsed to the Rules Committee for proper disposition, “and not in this impeachment court.”
House Prosecution begins direct examination of NBI Chief
House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro begins the direct examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, the final witness for Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns the alleged grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Matibag's testimony forms part of the prosecution's presentation of evidence on the eighth day of the impeachment trial.
Defense objects to NBI task force testimony
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan objects to the testimony regarding the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) special task force presented during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the matter was not included in the Articles of Impeachment and complaints.
Vinluan argued that introducing the information would be “a violation of our client’s right to due process” and that “any new information is irrelevant.”
House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro defended the testimony, saying the task force was created to further the investigation due to the possibility that “hindi po mag-isa ang bise presidente sa bantang ito.”
Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero later ruled to allow NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag to testify regarding the special task force.
Baste Duterte’s video played during Impeachment Trial
The prosecution presents a video of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, showing his remarks at the RAGE Coalition launch on April 12, 2026, where he said, “Isang ulo lang naman ang kailangan namin — ang ulo ni Bongbong Marcos.”
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, the prosecution’s final witness for Article IV on alleged grave threats, says the statement was compared with previous remarks attributed to Vice President Duterte.
“Nakita po namin ang pagkakahambing ng statement ng ating pong mayor at Vice President Sara Duterte,” Matibag said.
NBI Authenticates Baste Duterte video
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag presents an affidavit of authentication for the video of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, which was included in the agency’s investigation into remarks allegedly directed at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Matibag says the video was examined by the NBI and that Baste Duterte’s statements were compared with Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged remarks that form part of the Article IV (Grave Threats) allegations in the impeachment trial.
Matibag cites ‘pattern of violence’ in VP Duterte threat probe
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag says the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Task Force considered an alleged “pattern of violence” as one of the five criteria in assessing the alleged threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
During the impeachment trial, Matibag says the NBI reviewed previous incidents gathered through open-source intelligence, including a 2011 incident involving then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and a court sheriff.
“Nakita namin ‘yung isang event nung mayor pa po ang ating Vice President Sara Duterte, na meron pong isang sheriff na gustong gawin ang kanyang tungkulin na legal na atas ng korte na magpatupad po ng demolition order,” Matibag said.
He added, “Tinawag po niya ‘yung sheriff at pinagsusuntok po sa mukha itong sheriff na ito.” A video of the 2011 incident was later shown during the proceedings.
NBI Presents Lascañas Affidavit in VP Sara Duterte Trial
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag presents the affidavit of self-confessed Davao Death Squad member Arturo Lascañas before the Senate impeachment court, saying it is part of the investigation into the alleged grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan questioned the document’s validity, calling it a “mere scrap of paper” due to the lack of a wet signature and notarization.
Matibag said the affidavit serves as a valuable investigative lead, providing the NBI direction in further examining the alleged “pattern of violence.”
NBI identifies persons of interest in VP Duterte threat probe
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag says the agency has established persons of interest in connection with Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged statement about contracting an assassin against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family.
Matibag says the individuals “maaaring makapagturo o tumukoy dun sa taong kinausap ng ating Bise Presidente,” but declined to reveal their identities due to the ongoing investigation.
He added, “Hindi ko po maaaring isiwalat ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga tao ng ating persons of interest na ito.”
Senate declares a 15 minute recess
The Senate impeachment court temporarily suspends the eighth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 21, after Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero declares a 15-minute recess.
The proceedings are set to resume at 4:18 PM for the defense’s cross-examination following the break.
Defense Begins Cross-Examination of NBI Director Matibag
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte begins its cross-examination of NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag during the eighth day of the impeachment trial.
Led by counsel Mark Vinluan, the defense questions Matibag regarding Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which involves the alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Vinluan questions Matibag’s personal knowledge in NBI probe
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan questions NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag’s personal knowledge of the agency’s investigation into the alleged grave threats involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Matibag acknowledged that he was not yet NBI director when the investigation began in November 2024, saying, “Hindi pa po ako NBI director noong panahon na ‘yun.” Matibag was appointed as NBI director on February 20, 2026.
Matibag says it will investigate evidence on any alleged wrongdoing
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan asks NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag if the agency would also investigate alleged corruption involving President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s confidential funds, an issue raised by Vice President Sara Duterte in her November 2024 remarks.
Matibag responds that “kung meron pong mga ebidensyang ilalatag sa amin para amin pong sundan, hindi po magdadalawang-isip ang NBI sapagkat ito ang mandato ng NBI.”
House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro objects to the line of questioning, saying it was misleading.
Defense challenges Matibag’s testimony as 'chismis'
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan questions the testimony of NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag regarding the agency’s investigation into the alleged grave threats case against Vice President Sara Duterte, arguing that it is hearsay due to Matibag’s lack of personal knowledge before assuming office in February 2026.
Matibag admits, “Nababasa ko lang po sa balita ang mga nangyayari,” while Vinluan argues, “Kung wala kang personal knowledge, tsismis lang ’yun.”
Prosecutor Gerville Luistro counters that Matibag’s statements are based on official records, which are allowed under the rules.
Defense raises VP Duterte’s trust ratings during cross-examination
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan presented a photo showing the public trust ratings of Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his cross-examination of NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag.
Vinluan asked whether such public opinion “have an effect on your investigation,” arguing that the defense is allowed to present controverting evidence in relation to Matibag’s statement on “betrayal of public trust.”
Matibag Denies Coaching Ahead of Impeachment Testimony
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag denies being coached during his meetings with House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro before taking the witness stand in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
He says they only discussed matters related to his testimony, adding, “In the same way that when you want to present me as your witness, I will be more than willing to sit down with the defense counsel.”
Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan objected, replying, “Your Honor, I take exception. I don't think Director Matibag knows where I'm going.”
Matibag Distinguishes Criminal Liability From Impeachment Accountability
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag told the Senate impeachment court that the issue before investigators was not about enforcing the law but about alleged discussions of killing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Responding to Senator-judge Joel Villanueva’s question on the difference between criminal liability and constitutional accountability, Matibag said, “What we see here is not to execute the laws but to talk about killing, that is to execute the President.”
Tulfo Questions NBI Over Alleged ‘Special Treatment’ in Threat Cases
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the difference in its handling of the alleged grave threats involving Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte compared with the arrest of a teacher who threatened former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Tulfo asked, “So, ibig sabihin pala ang NBI ay tumitingin sa special treatment?” while NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag replied that he was not yet with the agency during the earlier case and explained that authorities avoided a warrantless arrest to allow a thorough threat assessment.
Matibag also said Baste Duterte’s “ulo ni Bongbong Marcos” remark was treated “as a threat to our President that transcends also to a threat to national security.”
Matibag says President still faces ongoing threat
Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros asked whether the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has actionable intelligence related to the alleged Oplan Romanov and whether it concerns threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. or Vice President Sara Duterte.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said the task force continues its surveillance and investigation, adding, “May actionable intelligence na may patuloy na panganib sa buhay ng Presidente pero wala pang actionable intelligence na may banta din naman sa buhay ng bise presidente.”
Cayetano questions NBI’s interpretation of VP Duterte’s remarks
Senator-judge Alan Cayetano questioned NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag on why the agency treated Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. differently from her statement, “kung ako naman ang papatayin.”
Matibag explained that the alleged threat against the President was considered “absolute,” adding that the Vice President’s statement about being killed was viewed “just to cover na siya’y may kinausap para patayin ang Pangulo.”
Senate suspends Impeachment Trial for SONA week
Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that there will be no impeachment trial on July 27 and 28 to give way to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the minority’s Kontra-SONA.
The proceedings will resume on July 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by the regular Senate session at 4:00 p.m.
Day 8 Trial Adjourned
The Senate impeachment court formally adjourned the eighth day of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag is set to return on Day 9 of the proceedings for the continuation of the defense’s cross-examination and questioning by the senator-judges.
