The Senate impeachment court heard explosive testimony on Day 8 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial, with NBI Director Melvin Matibag declaring he is ‘100 percent’ certain Duterte spoke to a hitman. Matibag, testifying under Article IV on alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, based his certainty on Duterte’s own statements. Despite defense objections, Presiding Officer Francis Escudero overruled and allowed the testimony to proceed. The prosecution also presented a video of Duterte, as Davao City mayor, punching a sheriff to establish a ‘pattern of violence.’ Matibag further testified that similarities between threats made by Duterte and her brother, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, suggest possible collusion against the president’s life. The cross-examination continues Wednesday.
Article and image source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
