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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Raffy Tulfo grills defense over alleged 'Romanov' plot

Raffy Tulfo grills defense over alleged 'Romanov' plot

Published Jul 13, 2026 02:05 pm
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo opened the fourth day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial by pressing the defense on the alleged "Operation Romanov," a purported plot to assassinate Duterte and members of her family.
Senator Raffy Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Raffy Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
He first recalled what defense lawyer Mark Vinluan stated in the previous trial: "The truth of the matter is this. She and her family were threatened, and while her response was unconventional, it was justified,” Vinluan said. “What triggered her response was a question about ‘Operation Romanov."
Tulfo asked Vinluan if a certain "Princess Maui" would be presented as a witness by the defense, since she asked about "Operation Romanov" during Duterte's more than two-hour online press conference on Nov. 23, 2024.
It was in this press conference that the Vice President stated she had supposedly instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed first.
Vinluan said that this will depend on what is established by the prosecution.
"The defense reserves its right to call or not call any witness depending on the course of the trial," he added.
Tulfo then asked if they would present any other witness to the so-called threat, which Vinluan affirmed to, but stated that they are not at liberty to disclose the witnesses.
According to the senator-judge, he first heard of Operation Romanov during the Maisug Leaders' Forum in Davao City last Jan. 28, 2024, which was mentioned by Mayor Baste Duterte. He also stated that the moniker of the alleged threat refers to an event that took place on July 16 to 17, 1918, in Yekaterinburg, Russia. It resulted in the total elimination of Russia's imperial ruling dynasty, the Romanov Family.
Tulfo ultimately asked if what Princess Maui, Baste Duterte, and Vinluan stated in the previous trial are all connected.
Vinluan stated that he has no personal knowledge of what Baste Duterte said.
Lastly, Tulfo asked what Vinluan meant when he described Sara Duterte's threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as "unconventional." he said: "Your honor, the basic meaning of the word, it will explain itself."

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Raffy Tulfo defense lawyers Vice President Sara Duterte Operation Romanov
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