MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday presented another official of the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) as its second witness.
NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc is set to testify on the grave threat charge filed against Duterte involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.
Lotoc, according to the prosecution, is set to establish Duterte's fitness to stay in office after issuing the threat that was captured on video in 2024 during a press conference that may pave the way for the filing of criminal complaints.
Duterte's threats constitute the fourth article of impeachment against Duterte.
In a press briefing on Monday, House prosecution spokesman and adviser Robert Ace Barbers said the prosecution aimed to focus on the constitutional standard for impeachment rather than criminal liability, emphasizing that the trial seeks to determine whether Duterte should remain in office—not whether she should face imprisonment.
"Because the fundamental question is this: Are you still fit to serve and remain in office as Vice President after we have seen the evidence that has been presented?" Barbers said.
Meanwhile, Defense spokesman and counsel Michael Wesley Poa said that they were ready to cross examine Lotoc whom they hope to finish cross-examining on the same day.
Poa also said that the decision to cross-examine Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, who is set to testify this week, would depend on her testimony on direct examination.
"We will first review the prosecution's presentation to determine whether there are matters we need to bring out or points that need to be clarified. If there are, then we will proceed with the cross-examination." Poa said.
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