In a pivotal moment during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed that its probe into alleged threats made by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez proceeded independently, without a formal complaint. This revelation came during the testimony of NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, who was cross-examined by the defense panel in the Senate plenary hall on July 7, 2026. Calilung clarified that the NBI's mandate allows it to investigate threats directed at high-ranking officials, including the president, vice president, Senate president, House speaker, and Supreme Court justices. He emphasized that the agency initiates investigations based on its authority, not solely on complaints. When questioned about the absence of a formal complaint, Calilung explained that the NBI's role is to act on its own initiative if there is credible information suggesting a potential threat. He noted that the agency would proceed to file charges if sufficient evidence is found, aligning with its legal obligations under Republic Act No. 10867, known as the New NBI Law. The defense team, led by attorney Carlo Narvasa, raised questions regarding the initial impetus for the investigation. Calilung confirmed that the inquiry was initiated by an executive order following reports of a statement made by Duterte that included references to threats. During the examination, he elaborated on how the NBI interprets such statements, particularly focusing on the nature of the threat. Although he categorized the threat as conditional in his official affidavit, Calilung personally assessed it as absolute, citing the presence of an agreement among third parties that could potentially execute the directive if the vice president were to die. The defense team also addressed the issue of context surrounding Duterte's remarks. Initially, they had opposed the prosecution's decision to present only selected excerpts from a controversial press conference held in November 2024. However, during the cross-examination of Calilung, the defense opted to show specific segments of the video rather than the entire recording. This approach aimed to highlight the circumstances under which Duterte's comments were made, particularly focusing on the testimony of Zuleika Lopez, the chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President, who expressed concerns about her safety while in custody. Lopez's segment, which was part of the video, depicted her fears while under House custody after being cited for contempt. The defense sought to establish whether these sentiments influenced the interpretation of Duterte's statements. Calilung affirmed that the NBI took into account all relevant information, including Lopez's expressions of concern, when evaluating the nature of the alleged threats. As the impeachment trial progresses, the focus remains on the implications of Duterte's alleged statements and the legal framework governing the NBI's investigative powers. The upcoming days will likely see further scrutiny of the evidence presented, with both sides preparing for additional testimonies and arguments. The outcome of the trial could significantly impact the political landscape in the Philippines, shaping future governance and legal precedents related to threats against public officials.
4 reports
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 906 days agoDuring the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, NBI agent John Mark Calilung testified that the agency investigated her alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. based on its mandate under Republic Act No. 10867, even though no formal complaint was filed. Calilung explained that the NBI's role includes investigating threats against high-ranking officials like the president, vice president, and others, and that investigations can be initiated without a complaint. He noted that while the threat was classified as 'conditional' in his affidavit, his personal assessment deemed it 'absolute,' citing pre-existing agreements and potential loopholes. The testimony highlights the legal framework and investigative process used by the NBI in assessing such claims.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual testimony from an NBI agent regarding the legal basis and methodology of an investigation into alleged threats by a high-profile political figure. While the subject matter is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, focusing on procedural aspects and legal依据.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 90): High factual accuracy with detailed quotes from Calilung and references to legal mandates. Slightly less objective due to framing the NBI's actions as fulfilling their duty, which may imply support for the investigation.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 92Objective 886 days ago Defense forgoes playing entire infamous Duterte press conferenceVice President Sara Duterte's defense team chose not to play the full 2-hour press conference from November 2024 during her impeachment trial, despite initially objecting to the prosecution's use of selected clips. The defense argued that showing the entire video would provide necessary context for Duterte's remarks. However, during cross-examination, the defense shifted strategy and opted to present specific segments of the video instead. These clips focused on Zuleika Lopez, the Chief of Staff to the Office of the Vice President, who expressed fear for her life while in House custody. The defense sought to confirm whether these clips were reviewed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in their investigation into allegations of 'grave threats' made by Duterte.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the defense and prosecution's positions neutrally, focusing on procedural decisions during the impeachment trial without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the legal arguments and evidence presented without apparent bias toward Sara Duterte or her opponents.
Why these scores (Factual 92 · Objective 88): Accurate reporting of the defense's decision to show partial video clips. Objective but slightly biased toward the defense by emphasizing their argument for full context.
RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 757 days agoDuring the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, NBI Agent John Mark Calilung explained how digital evidence was collected and preserved. The evidence included a Facebook livestream of a Zoom briefing where Duterte allegedly made threatening remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others. Calilung, trained in digital forensics, used OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather information from publicly accessible online sources, including social media and archived content. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of digital evidence through proper preservation techniques, such as hash values, to ensure its admissibility in court.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the impeachment proceedings and the technical aspects of digital evidence collection without overtly favoring any political side. While the subject matter is politically charged, the framing remains neutral, focusing on procedural explanations rather on
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): Reports accurately on planned witnesses and procedures, consistent with primary documents. Objectivity is slightly compromised by emphasis on prosecution's actions.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 707 days ago Sara Duterte trial: VP video on violent thoughts vs Marcos shownDuring the second day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung testified about a video in which Duterte allegedly expressed violent thoughts toward President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The video, which was nearly two years old, included claims that Duterte had imagined cutting Marcos' head and threatened to expose his family. Calilung presented additional videos where Duterte made similar remarks, including a press briefing from October 2024. These statements were used to support impeachment article IV, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats and inciting sedition. The testimony highlights ongoing tensions between Duterte and Marcos Jr., with Duterte criticizing Marcos' leadership throughout the period.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual testimony from NBI agent John Mark Calilung regarding the content of videos involving Vice President Sara Duterte and her alleged comments about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. While the subject matter is politically charged due to the impeachment proceedings and personal
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 70): Provides a summary of the prosecution's request for Zuleika Lopez's testimony. The article includes context about the virtual press conference, which may imply a narrative favoring the prosecution.
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