House prosecutors announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that they will call another witness in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to testify about the alleged “hitman” mentioned in her November 2024 video. The disclosure came during the third day of the trial on a grave threats charge tied to Duterte’s online press conference after the detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez.
Witness Testimony Raises Questions
Senator Bam Aquino raised the issue while questioning National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, who testified that his assignment was strictly limited to examining the video, not investigating whether a hitman existed. “The presence of a hitman is significant,” Aquino said, prompting prosecutors to confirm they would present additional testimony on the matter.
Calilung’s testimony revealed that the NBI’s role in the case was confined to analyzing the content of the online press conference, leaving the question of an actual hitman unexamined by the bureau.
Defense Pushback
Defense lawyer Mark Vinluan argued that the prosecution’s evidence did not support the central allegation that Duterte hired or contacted an assassin. He said Duterte’s remarks had been taken out of context and should be viewed against threats to her family, including an alleged plot called “Operation Romanov,” as well as surveillance, profiling of her residences, removal of trusted security personnel, and leaks of her official engagements.
“Trying to prove this stretched narrative using a hodgepodge of materials is a waste of this honorable court’s time and the Filipino people’s money,” Vinluan said. He emphasized that Duterte spoke as “a wife, mother, daughter and sister” concerned about her family’s safety.
Context of the Grave Threats Charge
The grave threats charge stems from Duterte’s November 2024 online press conference, in which she allegedly mentioned a hitman. The prosecution contends that the statement constituted a threat, while the defense maintains it was a response to ongoing security concerns. The trial continues as both sides prepare for further witness testimony.
