By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet and Brian Campued
The House prosecution panel on Tuesday, July 7, presented its first witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, to shed light on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
On Wednesday, July 8, Duterte’s defense team cross-examined Calilung, who investigated, examined, and authenticated the video cited by the prosecution in Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment.
Here are the highlights of today’s trial:
- Presiding Officer Francis Escudero called for prudence and moderation in the conduct of the impeachment proceedings. He reminded both panels to refrain from making statements that can be deemed as closing arguments.
- Escudero also allowed the defense to deliver its own peroration or summarizing statement at the end of Wednesday’s trial.
- Atty. Carlo Navasa led the defense’s cross-examination of NBI Senior Agent Calilung.
- Atty. Virgil Ligutan, counsel for the prosecution, objected on Defense’s move to constrain Calilung’s answer with only a “Yes” or “No.”
Escudero overruled the objection, saying the witness is “seasoned enough” and has attended enough hearings to be able to answer and explain himself before the court.
- Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo asked Calilung if the NBI has the power to investigate a particular threat against the highest officials of the land even if there is no request from them. Calilung answered in the affirmative as long as there is enough evidence.
- Defense questioned MaxCor Inter-Ventures Co., the company that led the digital forensics training of Calilung. He later said that the training focused on photo and video authentication.
- Calilung confirmed he is one of the signatories in the affidavit of investigation executed by the NBI Cybercrime Division dated Feb. 10, 2025.
- Prosecution objected to the defense’s line of questioning, saying it lacked relevance but Escudero allowed the latter to proceed with the cross-examination.
- Defense presented portions of the Nov. 23, 2024 online press briefing, showing Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, who questioned her transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.
- Calilung verified the authenticity of the affidavit of transcription that he signed on Dec. 20, 2024 and noted that his transcript of Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 press briefing was “faithfully transcribed.”
- Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo asked how Calilung was able to verify that the video of the press conference was not AI-generated. Calilung also affirmed that the video presented to him by the defense is authentic.
- The House prosecution panel opted not to conduct a redirect examination after the defense concluded its cross-examination of Calilung.
- Senator-judge Bam Aquino asked Calilung to enumerate reasons why the first affidavit of investigation in January 2025 was returned to the NBI.
- Senator-judges each took their turn asking Calilung his educational background and training as well as how NBI conducts and weighs the seriousness of threats.
- Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros asked the defense for the relevance of showing Lopez’ video, saying, “Sinasabi po ba ng depensa na yung mga alleged threats or alleged incitements ni VP Duterte ay prompted nung detention ni Atty. Lopez?”
Atty. Narvasa: “There was a systematic oppression made by the House of Representatives dating back from their, even before their mini trial, your honor, the committee headed by Rep. Joel Chua began investigating the Vice President and her people.”
Hontiveros: “Posisyon po ba ng depensa na puwedeng palampasin ang alleged grave threats kung may masasabing lehitimong dahilan para magbanta?”
- Escudero once again reminded the senator-judges to be cautious in asking questions so as not to have either party draw legal conclusions.
- Shortly before recess, the House prosecution panel raised a manifestation, noting that NBI-BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc will be presented before the Impeachment Court on Monday, July 13.
- House Prosecutor Rep. Lorenz Defensor said that Lopez will be presented as witness on Tuesday, July 14, and Capt. Belinda Bello of the House Office of Sergeant at Arms on Wednesday, July 15.
- Escudero ordered the subpoena for Lopez to appear on July 13 to 14.
- NBI Director Melvin Matibag, meanwhile, might be presented by the prosecution depending on how the trial goes next week.
Shortly before 5:00 p.m., the Impeachment Court is adjourned—ending the first week of the trial of the Vice President. The trial resumes on July 13, 2:00 p.m.
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