National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday defended his request to move up his testimony in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, denying allegations that he was trying to "dictate" the schedule of the court to attend a regional summit in Thailand.

Speaking in an interview on DZRH’s "Dos Por Dos" program, Matibag expressed bewilderment over the fierce pushback from senator-judges, noting that he had simply made a formal request through prosecutors to accommodate a critical sideline meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel.

"Nagtataka ako respectfully kay Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano na bakit naman sasabihin na nagdidikta," Matibag said, responding directly to criticisms leveled by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

"Wala naman tayong poder para magdikta… And the last thing that I want to do is makapag-pabigat pa sa kanilang gawain,” he added.

The controversy erupted during Monday’s trial proceedings when the prosecution team sought to advance Matibag’s testimony to Tuesday, July 14, from its originally anticipated slot in the third week of the trial, around July 21 or 22.

The schedule change was meant to allow Matibag to travel to Bangkok for a summit focusing on scam hubs and transnational organized crime.

Cayetano, alongside Senate President Win Gatchalian and the defense panel, blocked the motion on Monday.

The senator called the request "in bad taste," arguing that a bureau chief should not dictate the schedule of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

Matibag further clarified on Tuesday that his presence at the Bangkok summit took on greater urgency after he received direct word that the FBI chief wanted to meet with him privately on the sidelines of the event.

The meeting, Matibag said, followed the recent successful extradition of a high-profile fugitive wanted by U.S. federal authorities.

"I received communication from the director of FBI [Kash Patel] himself na gusto akong makaharap on a side meeting," Matibag said, adding that he had received a formal letter of commendation for the NBI’s swift assistance.

"Yung No. 2 wanted [sa US] si Kimble… he was extradited 2 weeks ako na matagl nang gustong makuha ng FBI ay natulungan natin sa mabilis na pamamaraan."

Matibag said he had initially planned to send a deputy to represent the agency at the summit, but the direct invitation from the FBI changed the scope of the trip.

Despite the scheduling conflict, the NBI chief emphasized that his legal obligations to the ongoing impeachment trial remain his top priority.

"Ganun pa man ay priority sa dalawang event na yun ay yung pag-testigo ko sa impeachment court," Matibag said.