“Your Honor, for the record, the right-hand portion of both documents contains certified true copies. It’s only a mere photocopy, Your Honor.” ~Atty. Carlo Narvasa, Defense Counsel
The National Bureau of Investigation recommended filing three counts of grave threat against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The legal action follows an extensive open-source digital investigation into the Vice President’s public online statements. During a Senate hearing, prosecution lawyer Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan presented key digital evidence gathered by law enforcement.
Reckless and Dangerous
NBI Agent John Mark Calilung testified that investigators authenticated multiple video recordings from official sources. Authorities focused on alleged threats directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Investigators gathered public records and verified online media posts from several government agencies. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police issued official statements regarding national security.
MORE: Day 2: ‘I Imagine Myself Cutting His Head’: NBI Agent Calilung Details VP Duterte’s Statement
Furthermore, the National Security Council submitted official documentation to the House Committee on Justice.
In a recorded video played during proceedings, Former Speaker Martin Romualdez strongly condemned the alleged assassination threats. Romualdez stated in the recording, “Such statement is not just reckless, it is dangerous”.
He added that the utterance represents “an attack on the very foundation of our government”. Additionally, NBI investigators interviewed some journalists, who confirmed attending the online press conference.
Xerox Lang!
During cross-examination, defense counsel Atty. Carlo Narvasa objected to several submitted electronic printouts and photocopies. Narvasa argued that specific annexes were unreadable and lacked necessary hash file records.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero duly noted the defense’s manifestation and objection, subsequently allowing witness NBI Agent John Mark Calilung to state his answer on the record. However, Agent Calilung admitted that certain attached documents were unclear due to printing issues.
Consequently, the NBI filed the official affidavit of investigation along with its annexes directly to the Department of Justice. Furthermore, investigators authenticated additional videos from June, July, and November 2024 to support their legal findings.
These digital files included recordings of the Vice President resigning as Secretary of DepEd and declaring herself a designated survivor. Finally, the Department of Justice will review all authenticated evidence to determine if formal charges move forward.
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