THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is examining whether members of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s security group could provide leads in its continuing investigation into her alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Director Melvin A. Matibag told the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday.
Testifying on the ninth day of Ms. Duterte’s impeachment trial, Mr. Matibag confirmed that the Vice-President’s security detail forms part of the bureau’s ongoing investigation into people who may have knowledge of, or links to, the alleged assassination plot.
“We have included that in our investigation,” Mr. Matibag said after Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian asked whether the security group was among the persons of interest being examined.
Mr. Gatchalian sought clarification after the NBI chief testified earlier in the proceedings that investigators had identified persons of interest who could eventually lead authorities to the person whom Ms. Duterte claimed she had instructed to kill Mr. Marcos, First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Mr. Matibag declined to identify the persons of interest, citing the sensitivity of the investigation.
Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva asked whether the NBI already established that Ms. Duterte had actually hired an assassin.
“First, I have said with certainty that someone has been contracted,” Mr. Matibag said in Filipino. “The basis is that the Vice-President publicly, in an extrajudicial admission, confirmed that she contracted an assassin.”
He said investigators have yet to identify the person but maintained that the threat remains active.
“We are certain that someone has been contracted. However, we have yet to identify the person, which means the threat against the President is a continuing and active threat,” he added.
Mr. Matibag said the NBI continues coordinating with Malacañang to ensure the President’s security while the investigation is under way.
Pressed by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo to provide more information about the background of the persons of interest, Mr. Matibag again declined to disclose details but explained the bureau’s investigative approach.
“We have already looked into which sphere this falls under, who could be involved, and where this could have come from — not immediately who, but where the person may come from,” he said.
Mr. Matibag added that investigators considered Ms. Duterte’s network of associates in assessing her capacity to carry out the alleged threat.
“From this, we know, based on history, that she has a wide range of connections, a vast network. We all know that she is the Vice-President, and her father is the former President,” he said.
The NBI chief is the prosecution’s final witness for the fourth article of impeachment, which accuses Ms. Duterte of committing culpable violations of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by allegedly threatening the President, the First Lady and Mr. Romualdez.
The Senate impeachment court also ordered the issuance of subpoenas to Land Bank of the Philippines branch managers Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano, who are expected to testify when the trial resumes on July 29 for the presentation of evidence on the first article of impeachment involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Under the June 29 pre-trial order, prosecutors proposed 31 hearing dates for the presentation of evidence on the confidential funds allegations.
The impeachment court also adjusted its hearing schedule, with proceedings set to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. criticized Ms. Duterte’s overseas trip during the impeachment proceedings, saying it raises questions about her commitment to the constitutional process.
In a statement, Mr. Abante said the Vice-President’s travel to Qatar, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands from July 21 to 31 undermines the impeachment proceedings.
“That constitutes betrayal of public trust,” he said. “She’s highly irresponsible as VP.”
Mr. Abante also questioned how the trip was being financed.
“Whether she’s not spending public money and using her private funds, the people have the right to know where she’s getting her travel expenses,” he said.
He also defended Mr. Matibag’s testimony before the impeachment court, saying the NBI chief merely recounted statements previously made publicly by Ms. Duterte and subjected to official investigation. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel and Pexcel John Bacon
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