THE final National Bureau of Investigation witness on Article IV is expected to deliver significant information that could complete the prosecution’s account of the alleged threats by Vice President Sara Duterte and answer unresolved questions about the bureau’s continuing investigation.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union described NBI Director Melvin Matibag as uniquely positioned to explain records and leads that previous witnesses could not fully discuss.
“I’m sure nag-e-expect kayo ng fireworks this week. There will be fireworks,” Ortega said during a press conference at the House of Representatives.
As head of the bureau, Matibag has access to the complete investigative record, including documents and information held by divisions that took over after the NBI Cybercrime Division completed its portion of the inquiry.
“Being the head of the bureau, he has the access to all of the records, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, kumbaga he has keys to the castle,” Ortega explained.
Matibag is expected to testify on the NBI investigation into Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 statements involving President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, including the findings and criminal complaints arising from the incident.
Ortega cautioned that some information involving the alleged assassin and other investigative leads could remain classified or still require further verification before being disclosed publicly.
“Parang iyong lead sa so-called assassin, siyempre classified iyong iba diyan. At hindi rin nila puwedeng bitawan o basta-basta sabihin kung hindi rin po solid iyong lead nila at hindi nila nahahanap or under investigation pa,” he stressed.
The House leader acknowledged that Matibag could face extensive questioning because of recent friction involving some senator-judges, but he maintained that the prosecution’s preparation and the importance of his testimony would remain unchanged.
“Wala namang magbabago sa preparasyon ng prosecutors. Pero ako, sinabi ko naman kung ano iyong nakita ko noong nandoon ako noong hearing, makikita natin may kaunting friction talaga dahil nga po sa past month na mga nangyaring events,” Ortega noted.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the senator-judges would focus on the evidence Matibag would present rather than allow outside political issues to color their assessment of his testimony.
“Pero sana mapag-usapan nila iyan at makita ng Impeachment Court iyong halaga kasi sa prosecution side, sobrang importante po iyong pag-upo bilang witness ni Director Matibag,” he maintained.
Ortega also rejected attempts to judge Matibag’s credibility through his previous political affiliation, describing the NBI chief as a straightforward official who answers questions without embellishment.
“Siguro iyong kaunting oras na nakilala ko siya, nakasalamuha ko siya, very upfront naman siya. Hindi siya iyong tipong parang walang drama,” Ortega explained.
“Kung mayroon mang pinaka-credible at saka siguro naghahanap ang mga kaibigan natin sa media at mga taong bayan ng pasabog, or mabigat na statement coming from here, siguro magandang gamitin natin is informative kasi mas privy sila sa mga impormasyon na hindi natin kayang sagutin o hindi natin alam,” he added.
