The House prosecution panel said the next witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to reinforce the testimony and evidence earlier presented by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung.
House prosecution panel spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc is expected to testify during Monday's continuation of the trial and explain the findings of the bureau's preliminary investigation into Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The prosecution formally manifested before the Senate impeachment court that Lotoc would be presented as its next witness. He is scheduled to be followed by Vice President Duterte's chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, on July 14, and Capt. Belinda Bello on July 15.
According to Adiong, Lotoc's testimony will provide context on the circumstances surrounding the Zoom meeting in which Duterte allegedly made the controversial statements.
"Para makita ng korte na aside from investigation, e paano po 'yung premise by which nagkaroon po ng ganitong klaseng Zoom meeting kung saan binantaan ang buhay ng Pangulo, ang Unang Ginang at ang dating Speaker ng House of Representatives," Adiong said.
Adiong also argued that the defense failed to undermine the authenticity of the video evidence presented by Calilung during last week's proceedings, noting that the defense itself relied on portions of the same video during cross-examination.
"Last week, hindi po nabutasan ang testimonya ni Mr. Calilung. In fact, 'yung video na ipinrisenta ng prosecution, iyon din po ang ginamit ng defense. Doon din nila kinuha ang video na ipinrisenta nila sa korte," he said.
During Wednesday's cross-examination, the defense questioned the NBI's handling of the digital evidence, including the video's chain of custody and the procedures used to preserve it.
The defense also presented portions of the Nov. 23, 2024 Zoom meeting showing Vice President Duterte's chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, in tears.
Defense lawyers maintained that there was no evidence showing Duterte had actually communicated with anyone to carry out the alleged threats against the President and his family. They argued that the Vice President made the statements because she herself was facing threats to her safety.
Following the proceedings, the Senate impeachment court issued a subpoena ad testificandum directing Lopez to appear and testify in the next phase of the trial.
Meanwhile, the prosecution team is expected to unveil what it describes as a "major revelation" next week.
"Abangan nalang po natin kung anong magiging fireworks," Adiong said.
