National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc testified on Tuesday during the fifth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial that Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte was allegedly the first person to mention the term “Romanov.”

Lotoc said their investigation traced the first mention of the term to a Maisug Rally in January 2025, where Mayor Baste allegedly used the term while referring to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Based don sa video na ‘yun, January if I’m not mistaken, ‘yung Maisug Rally. Ang unang nagbanggit ng Romanov, si Mayor Baste. Parang tinatakot niya ‘yung Presidente,” Lotoc said.

During the hearing, Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned Lotoc regarding information provided by Princess Maui in a video presented during the investigation, particularly her claim about “Operation Romanov,” which allegedly involved a plot to kill Vice President Duterte and her family.

“‘Yung information po ni Princess Maui dun sa video na sinabi niya kay VP ay hindi po reliable?” Tulfo asked.

“Hindi reliable insofar as the cybercrime division is concerned,” Lotoc confirmed.

The term “Operation Romanov” was previously mentioned during Vice President Duterte’s 2024 online press conference, where Princess Maui alleged that the supposed operation was a threat against Duterte and her family.