Witness testifies in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte continued this week as the Senate heard testimony regarding allegations of grave threats and inciting sedition. National Bureau of Investigation official Jeremy Lotoc took the stand to discuss findings from an investigation into remarks made by the Vice President in late 2024. During the proceedings, Lotoc stated that the Vice President’s public comments, which included mentions of a potential assassin, were considered serious and active threats by investigators. The prosecution aims to establish that these statements were not merely expressions of anger but represented a genuine intent to carry out harm against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. As the trial progresses, the prosecution has begun refining its witness list, recently opting to drop two planned witnesses to focus on the evidence already presented. The defense team has consistently argued that the Vice President’s statements were taken out of context and do not constitute legal threats. With the trial expected to span several months and cover multiple articles of impeachment, including allegations of fund misuse and unexplained wealth, the Senate remains the central stage for this high-stakes political process. The public continues to watch as both sides present their arguments before the senator-judges, who will ultimately decide the outcome of the proceedings.