Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago Wednesday criticized the defense panel's cross-examination of incumbent NBI Director Melvin Matibag during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, describing the questioning as repetitive while defending the bureau's investigation into Duterte's alleged assasination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Speaking on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Santiago questioned the line of questioning by defense lawyer Atty. Mark Vinluan, saying Matibag had repeatedly explained that he was not yet the NBI director when some of the documents being raised were issued.
According to Santiago, the documents in question were signed during his tenure as NBI chief, not Matibag's.
"Natawa nga ako doon sa cross examiner paulit-ulit tungkol doon sa subpoena, ilang ulit na sinabi ni [NBI] director [Melvin Matibag] na he was not yet the director that time," Santiago said.
"Susmaryosep paulit-ulit," he added.
Santiago admitted he became frustrated over what he described as the repetitive questioning.
"Kung ako'y judge pa at 'yung mga ganoong klaseng cross-examination, pupukpukin ko ng gavel sa ulo 'yan," Santiago remarked.
Despite his criticism, Santiago acknowledged that lawyers have the duty to ask questions during cross-examination but urged the defense panel to exercise what he called "common sense."
"Naiintindihan natin naman na trabaho nila ‘yun… pero kailangan naman may common sense naman tayo ng konti," he said.
"Hindi ‘yung nagmumukha tayong tanga sa madlang people," he added.
Santiago also backed Matibag's testimony that the NBI found "active and continuing threats" against the life of Marcos, saying such threats are expected against a sitting president.
"Talaga namang kapag ikaw ay Pangulo talagang may continuing threats sa’yo…Kaya ang higpit ng pagbabantay sa ating Pangulo. Hindi lang sa pangulo sa mga matataas nating opisyal…Talagang prone sila sa threats," he said.
His remarks came amid the impeachment proceedings, where Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment focuses on Duterte's alleged grave threats against Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Santiago added that investigating threats against public officials falls within the NBI's mandate.
Duterte declined to cooperate in probe
Santiago also claimed that Duterte did not cooperate with the NBI's investigation into her own statements regarding alleged threats to her life.
He said the bureau formally invited the Vice President to participate in the inquiry, but she did not appear.
"Hindi [siya] nagpunta," Santiago said.
According to the former NBI chief, investigators attempted to contact Duterte twice, but only her lawyer responded. He said the first response cited the Vice President's busy schedule, while the second conveyed her refusal to appear before the bureau.
Santiago said Duterte's failure to personally face investigators left the NBI without sufficient leads to pursue the investigation.
He added that Duterte had instead aired her concerns through social media, which he said was insufficient for a formal investigation.
"Nagsusumbong lang siya lagi sa kanyang mga pahayag sa social media. Pero yung pormal na pumunta siya sa aming opisina at bigyan kami ng information tungkol sa kanya ay ayaw niyang makipag-cooperate," Santiago said.
