The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday questioned alleged inconsistencies and typographical errors in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) documents as it cross-examined a witness on Day 5 of the impeachment trial.
Defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan raised concerns over discrepancies in the NBI’s investigation records, including differences in the number of cases cited in the affidavit of NBI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc.
Vinluan asked whether the errors in the documents could amount to violations of due process, especially after Lotoc earlier described the NBI’s case as “airtight.”
“With all these infirmities and you mentioned yesterday your case is airtight, don’t you think that these errors constituted violations of due process?” Vinluan asked.
Lotoc defended the affidavit, saying the typographical mistakes did not affect the existence of the video involved, Duterte’s statements in the recording, or the NBI’s findings.
“The existence of these typographical errors does not alter the fact that the video exists, does not alter the fact that the Vice President uttered those statements, does not alter the fact na ang NBI mayroong findings at ang findings nila ay the Vice President committed the crime of grave threats and inciting to sedition,” Lotoc said.
Vinluan also questioned whether Duterte’s alleged remarks had resulted in any attempt to overthrow the government, citing the offense of inciting to sedition.
“Inciting to sedition punishes someone who incites others to overthrow the government… It has been one and a half years since VP Sara’s speech. Has the government been overthrown following her speech?” Vinluan asked.
“Not necessary, sir,” Lotoc replied.
Vinluan followed up by asking if any government agency or department had been overthrown following Duterte’s statement.
“Not necessary, sir,” Lotoc again answered.
The questioning stemmed from the NBI’s findings on Duterte’s remarks in which she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez — allegations that form part of the impeachment complaint against the vice president.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumed proceedings Tuesday for the fifth day of trial.
