MANILA – The House prosecution on Monday said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag is expected to address questions raised during previous hearings and present the latest developments in the bureau’s preliminary investigation as it concludes its presentation on the fourth article of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

During a press briefing, House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Matibag’s testimony would serve as the “finale” of the prosecution’s presentation on the impeachment article involving Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

“So ito po ‘yung magiging finale nitong Article IV, ang presentasyon ng House prosecution panel kay Director Matibag at ang pagbibigay po niya ng information, facts surrounding this preliminary investigation conducted by the NBI,” Adiong said.

House legal spokesperson and counsel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said Matibag would not only corroborate the testimonies of the prosecution’s first two witnesses—NBI Special Agent John Mark Calilung and NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc—but also present new information before the Senate impeachment court.

“What I can tell you is that aside from corroborating the testimony given by our two witnesses, he will be giving new important information,” Tolosa said.

“And I can also assure you that you wouldn’t want to miss his testimony tomorrow,” he added.

Tolosa declined to disclose further details, saying these would instead be presented before the impeachment court during Tuesday’s proceedings.

The prosecution has so far presented Calilung, who authenticated the digital evidence from Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 press conference, and Lotoc, who testified on the NBI’s investigation that recommended the filing of criminal charges against the Vice President.

Adiong said the testimonies of the two witnesses had already established the factual basis of the fourth article of impeachment.

“We, the House prosecution panel, was able to again establish the facts based on the testimonies presented by Mr. Calilung and Lotoc,” he said.

He added that Calilung authenticated the digital evidence, while Lotoc corroborated it through the NBI investigation, which found prima facie basis to recommend criminal charges against Duterte.

“Again, both testimonies were not refuted,” Adiong said.

The prosecution also dismissed issues unrelated to the impeachment proceedings, saying these have no bearing on Matibag’s expected testimony.

Adiong said Matibag is appearing before the impeachment court solely in his capacity as NBI director and as head of the agency that investigated Duterte’s alleged threats.

“Again, ang focus po namin is how to present him to the impeachment court base po sa kanyang knowledge, kaalaman doon sa preliminary investigation,” Adiong said.

“Hindi namin nakikita kung paano ito makakaapekto sa kanyang testimonya,” he added, referring to issues unrelated to the impeachment case.

Tolosa said the defense remains free to question Matibag’s credibility but stressed that the impeachment court should ultimately evaluate the evidence relevant to the investigation.

“And that is their prerogative. They can try to do that,” Tolosa said.

“But at the end of the day, ang titingnan natin, susuriin nating mabuti, ano ‘yung ebidensya na ilalatag niya dito. All other matters are just noise if they have nothing to do with respect to the investigation that he conducted.”

Adiong also expressed confidence that the Senate impeachment court would ensure questioning remains focused on matters relevant to the fourth article of impeachment.

“Very clear po, irrelevant po kung anuman ‘yung ikokonek nila na outside of the discussion under Article IV,” he said.