The House prosecution panel has asked the Senate impeachment court to summon Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and Melvin Matibag to testify from July 13 to 15 in the impeachment trial of Sara Duterte.
Prosecutors said their testimonies are essential to support Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which centers on the alleged grave threats and assassination plot against Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Martin Romualdez.
During the proceedings, NBI Agent John Mark Calilung testified about the events surrounding Duterte’s controversial remarks in November 2024.
The defense sought to exclude Calilung’s testimony, arguing he was not named in the impeachment complaint, but the motion was denied by impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero.
Escudero ruled that prosecutors may present evidence beyond those specifically listed in the complaint, citing a Supreme Court ruling.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 8, 2026
