Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Darylle Sarmiento

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag declined to identify the alleged &quot;contracted assassin&quot; and other persons of interest (POIs) linked to Vice President Sara Duterte during Tuesday&#x27;s impeachment trial.Matibag was asked by the prosecution to identify the POIs but refused, citing the ongoing investigation.During a press conference after the hearing, Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol was asked whether Matibag could disclose the identities of the POIs in an executive session.Tongol said such a scenario is possible, explaining that an executive session forms part of the Senate&#x27;s legislative process and may be suppletorily applied under the Senate Impeachment Rules.“Base on my analysis of the rules po, under rule 6 of the senate impeachment rules, mababasa po ninyo doon na, suppletory applicable yung senate rules, pati po ng rules of court.”“Pag sinabi po nating suppletory applicable, pag hindi po sinasabi sa senate impeachment rules, yung mga ganung mga processo, pwede pang i-apply yung senate rules on the legislative process. Doon po may makikitang executive session at kung yun po yung balak gawin ng isang senator judge mag move po siya, then baka po viable possibility po yun na pwedeng mangyari.”Tongol noted, however, that none of the senator-judges has so far moved to hold an executive session for the possible disclosure of the identities of the persons of interest.He also reiterated that under Memorandum Circular No. 15, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Matibag is bound by confidentiality rules and is prohibited from disclosing the identities of the persons of interest because they are part of an ongoing investigation.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag declined to identify the alleged "contracted assassin" and other persons of interest (POIs) linked to Vice President Sara Duterte during Tuesday's impeachment trial.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag declined to identify the alleged "contracted assassin" and other persons of interest (POIs) linked to Vice President Sara Duterte during Tuesday's impeachment trial.

Can persons of interest in Duterte’s alleged contracted assassin be revealed in executive session?

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Can persons of interest in Duterte’s alleged contracted assassin be revealed in executive session?

Darylle Sarmiento,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2026 10:44 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

impeachment trial

Melvin Matibag

NBI

grave threats

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.