National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said the alleged betrayal of public trust involving Vice President Sara Duterte had already been “consummated” following her public statement about contracting an individual to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the ninth day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 22.
The statement came after defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan asked Matibag whether the NBI would file another impeachment case against Duterte after completing its investigation.
“You admit nonetheless that betrayal of public trust is a ground for impeachment, correct?” Vinluan asked.
“That is correct. I think it’s in the Constitution,” Matibag replied.
Vinluan then asked if the completion of the NBI’s findings would lead to another impeachment complaint against the vice president. Matibag explained that further investigation was not necessary to establish the alleged betrayal of public trust, citing Duterte’s previous public admission.
“The betrayal of public trust as the issue in the impeachment court, we don’t need to investigate even if we pinpointed the person contracted. Because the point being is, the betrayal of public trust was already been consummated when she publicly admitted, there is already an admission that she contracted a killer, a mamamatay tao or an assassin to kill the President,” Matibag said.
He added that Duterte’s alleged statement that the person she spoke with agreed to carry out the act already constituted an admission.
Matibag further cited the Vice President’s oath of office, saying that an alleged plan to harm the President contradicts the duty to uphold the law and deliver justice.
“Pag nagbalak kang pumatay, at ginawa mo ‘yan, that is no justice to every man. It’s not execute the law. Execute the president, ‘yung gusto mong gawin d’yan,” Matibag said.
Following the statement, Vinluan asked the Senate impeachment court to strike Matibag’s answer from the record, arguing that the NBI chief’s response contained conclusions of fact and law.
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro opposed the motion, saying the defense itself raised the question and Matibag was only responding to the inquiry.
“Ang depensa po ang nagtanong. Kung mapapatunayan na nag-commit ng betrayal of public trust, kung sasampahan pa ng impeachment, ulit at sinasagot lamang po ng testigo, consummated na ang betrayal of public trust,” Luistro said.
Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero denied the motion to strike, allowing Matibag’s statement to remain part of the official record for the consideration of the senator-judges.
Matibag is the final witness presented by the prosecution for Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which involves alleged grave threats against President Marcos Jr.
