National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag appeared before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, July 21, as the prosecution’s final witness for the grave threats allegation against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Matibag took his oath before the impeachment court during the eighth day of proceedings and was presented by lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro in connection with Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment.
Before his testimony, Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded Matibag to avoid making statements that could affect the independence and integrity of the impeachment court or individual senator-judges.
“[Avoid] issuing statements that may impinge upon the independence and integrity of the Court or of individual Senator-Judges,” Escudero said.
The reminder came amid previous remarks from Matibag regarding a possible NBI investigation involving Senator Alan Peter Cayetano over the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Escudero also said that statements made by Senator-Judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano concerning Matibag and the video evidence would be referred to the Senate as a legislative body and endorsed to the Rules Committee rather than being taken up during the impeachment proceedings.
Matibag’s testimony is expected to focus on the NBI’s findings related to the alleged grave threats attributed to Vice President Duterte, which is among the articles being heard by the Senate impeachment court.
