Marilyn Cahatol

The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Matibag was asked about the agency’s ongoing investigation related to the fourth article of impeachment, focusing on the grave threats uttered by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178462958052420260721-vp-sara-impeachment-day8-MT17.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Matibag was asked about the agency’s ongoing investigation related to the fourth article of impeachment, focusing on the grave threats uttered by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Matibag was asked about the agency’s ongoing investigation related to the fourth article of impeachment, focusing on the grave threats uttered by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday said his job as bureau head, particularly in the probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is “detached” from his wife being a House member.</p><p>Matibag testified in Duterte’s impeachment trial in relation to the NBI’s investigation of her alleged “threats” against Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>During cross-examination, defense counsel Mark Vinluan raised that Matibag’s wife, Laguna Rep. Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes &quot;Ann&quot; Matibag, endorsed House Resolution No. 989 that set forth the Articles of Impeachment against the vice president. </p><p>He said that he was testifying at the impeachment court because he had been summoned and by the invitation of the House impeachment panel.</p><p>“However, the job of my wife as a legislator is totally detached from me being the director of the National Bureau of Investigation,” he said.</p><p>The court did not issue a subpoena for Matibag, who later clarified that he is appearing “as a witness as called upon by this honorable court.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘PREMATURE, TRIAL BY PUBLICITY’</strong></div><p>Vinluan asked whether Matibag’s testimony that the NBI has <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/nbi-pursuing-persons-of-interest-in-duterte-s-alleged-threat-vs-marcos-1607">identified “persons of interest”</a> in its probe is “premature,” after confirming that it is part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) to give Duterte a chance to be confronted with the findings. </p><p>“Considering that you’re still pursuing those leads, don’t you think that your testimony today is premature?” Vinluan said. </p><p>Matibag responded: “Hindi po. Sapagkat malinaw naman po sa statement ng ating bise presidente na meron siyang kinausap para patayin si Bongbong Marcos, si Liza Marcos Araneta, si Martin Romualdez.&quot;</p><p>(No, because the vice president&#x27;s statement that she had talked to someone to kill Bongbong Marcos, Liza Marcos Araneta and Martin Romualdez was clear.)</p><p>He said Duterte&#x27;s statement, made in a streamed online conference, was a &quot;clear confession&quot; by someone who had plans to have people killed.. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/matibag-sara-duterte-remarks-vs-marcos-a-threat-to-national-security-1559">Matibag: Sara Duterte remarks vs Marcos a threat to national security</a></div><p>Vinluan also asked whether the agency is attempting trial by publicity.</p><p>Matibag rejected this, citing NBI’s refusal to publicize the details of its investigation.</p><p>Asked whether his testimony that the NBI has leads would prejudice the ongoing investigation, Matibag said he did not name the persons of interest precisely to avoid compromising an ongoing probe.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LEAKED VIDEO</strong></div><p>Vinluan also raised a leaked video of an argument between Matibag and his friend, Mel Sabio, asking whether it demonstrated &quot;an emotional outburst&quot; on Matibag&#x27;s part.</p><p>In response, Matibag acknowledged that his statements in the video were made out of &quot;galit at (anger and) disappointment,&quot; but said he has since regretted his remarks.</p><p>Although the specific statements were not discussed during the hearing, reports said the recording captured Matibag threatening to kill Sabio.</p><p>Vinluan also presented a Daily Tribune graphic showing the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/19/marcos-trust-rating-dips-duterte-steady-in-sws-q2-survey-1428">results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey</a>, in which Duterte received a 57-percent public trust rating.</p><p>Citing opinion pieces Matibag wrote for the same publication, including one in which he said public trust in the Vice President was crumbling, Vinluan asked whether he believed Duterte had betrayed public trust despite her high survey ratings.</p><p>Matibag said surveys are merely &quot;snapshots&quot;, saying also that the NBI &quot;cannot be swayed by public opinion [or our] personal opinion.&quot;</p><p>Matibag said public trust ratings in surveys are different from betrayal of public trust — an allegation in the Articles of Impeachment.</p><p>&quot;Kapag ating pinagbasehan ang popularidad, ibig sabihin ba nito, ang isang pinakakilala at popular na tao ay puwede nang gumawa ng krimen at hindi natin papapanagutin?&quot; he said.</p><p>(If our basis is popularity, does it mean that a well-known and popular person can commit a crime and not be held accountable?)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/-pattern-of-violence-duterte-s-sheriff-punching-incident-raised-in-impeachment-trial-1603">&#x27;Pattern of violence&#x27;? Duterte&#x27;s sheriff-punching incident raised in impeachment trial</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘HEARSAY’</strong></div><p>The defense also dismissed Matibag’s knowledge of the agency’s investigation into Duterte’s “grave threats” before his appointment as director February this year as “hearsay.”</p><p>Matibag said he learned about the proceedings and findings through investigation reports and “upon the discussion of the investigating officers.” </p><p>The counsel then cited the rules on evidence stating that “a witness can testify only to those facts which he or she knows of his or her personal knowledge that is, which are derived from his or her own perception.”</p><p>Vinluan then said that a testimony, “if not based on personal knowledge, then that is hearsay.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UQL_9hIrrBQ?si=W_0Qm2bLxhuFIhcT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday said his job as the agency’s head is “detached” from his wife being a House member, in relation to the NBI's probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p>

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday said his job as the agency’s head is “detached” from his wife being a House member, in relation to the NBI's probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Matibag says wife being a House member is separate from his being NBI director

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Matibag says wife being a House member is separate from his being NBI director

Marilyn Cahatol,

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2026 06:47 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

impeachment trial

Melvin Matibag

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