THE House prosecution panel said Wednesday the testimony of its first witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, remained firm after the defense cross-examined him on Day 3 of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial.
In a press conference after the Senate impeachment trial’s Day 3 adjournment, former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, spokesperson and adviser of the House prosecution panel, said the prosecution completed the first week of trial with Calilung standing by his testimony on Article IV, which involves the alleged grave threats made by Duterte during her November 23, 2024 online media briefing.
“Nakita po natin dito sa Day 3 ng impeachment trial na kung saan ay nagkaroon ang cross-examination ay hindi po natibag o hindi nabutasan ang testimonya na inilatag, binigay ng ating witness na si Agent Mark Calilung,” Barbers said.
Barbers said Calilung’s answers showed consistency from direct examination to cross-examination.
“Isa pang pruweba na siya ay nagsasabi ng katotohanan because he was very consistent with all his statements from the beginning and even during the cross-examination, nakita natin na he was firm,” Barbers said.
He added that Calilung stood by his earlier testimony.
“Tinayuan nga yung kanyang binitawang mga pahayag o testimonya during the first day that he was presented as witness for the prosecution,” Barbers said.
House prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the first week of trial ended with the cross-examination of Calilung, whom she identified as the “agent on case” who investigated Duterte’s Nov. 23 statements.
“We heard the questions propounded by the defense to John Mark Calilung which we believe were sufficiently answered by John Mark Calilung,” Zamora said.
“That’s why our prosecution decided or we decided not to conduct any redirect examination anymore,” she added.
During the hearing, the defense questioned Calilung on his training, the NBI investigation, affidavits and documents linked to the case, and the context of the Nov. 23 video. Senator-judges also asked clarificatory questions on the NBI’s authority to investigate threats against top officials, the sufficiency of documents submitted to the Department of Justice, Calilung’s digital forensics training, and how threats are assessed.
Zamora said the defense appeared to question Calilung’s credibility and training, which she described as expected trial strategy.
“Nung time po ng defense para mag-cross, may mga nilabas po silang mga dokumento, sa tingin po namin kasi gusto nilang i-question ang credibility at ‘yung training ng ating witness,” Zamora said.
“Natural naman na gagawin ng defense na i-question ang credibility ng witness ng prosecution,” she added.
But Zamora said the defense failed to shake Calilung’s direct testimony.
“Wala naman pong naipakita ang defense na, gaya ng sabi ni Cong. Ace, matitibag ang statements na ginawa ni John Mark Calilung kahapon sa kanyang direct examination,” Zamora said.
She also noted that Calilung answered questions from senator-judges.
“Narinig din po natin ang mga tanong ng ating senator judges at lahat naman po ng kanilang katanungan ay nasagot ni John Mark Calilung from questions regarding his training, questions regarding the investigation he conducted, and questions regarding the threats which he investigated,” Zamora said.
Zamora cited Calilung’s answer near the end of his testimony, when he was asked about whether Duterte’s alleged threat was conditional or absolute.
“In fact, ang last statement po ni agent John Mark Calilung ay yung threats po ay absolute,” Zamora said.
Barbers said the conclusion of Calilung’s testimony was a positive development as the prosecution prepares to present more evidence.
“Yan ay isang magandang development at aming nakita na sa susunod ng mga araw mailalatag pa rin ang mga ebidensyang inihanda ng ating prosecution panel,” Barbers said.
