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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Most credible' Matibag sure to deliver 'fireworks' in impeachment trial--Ortega

'Most credible' Matibag sure to deliver 'fireworks' in impeachment trial--Ortega

Published Jul 16, 2026 04:34 pm

At A Glance

  • NBI Director Melvin Matibag is set to testify as the prosecution's final witness on death threats against President Marcos, the First Lady, and former Speaker Romualdez.
  • House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega describes Matibag as credible, upfront, and vital to the prosecution's case despite recent friction with some senator-judges.
  • The prosecution expects Matibag's testimony to strengthen Article IV of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, with preparations remaining unchanged.
La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V (left), NBI Director Melvin Matibag (Facebook, Unsplash)
La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V (left), NBI Director Melvin Matibag (Facebook, Unsplash)


National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag is sure to provide the "fireworks" next week when he takes the stand as the prosecution’s last witness on the death threats allegation against the twice-impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
Thus, said House Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, who described Matibag as "upfront", devoid of "drama", and "most credible".
"There will be fireworks,” Ortega said during a press conference Thursday, July 16 at the House of Representatives.
The House prosecution panel will present Matibag before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, July 21.
The NBI is the agency that investigated respondent Duterte's Nov. 23, 2024 death threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The threats are covered under article IV of the articles of impeachment against Duterte. Matibag is expected to put a bow--a big one--on the discussion of the evidence for this article.
“Being the head of the bureau, he has the access to all of the records, sa lahat ng pagkakataon (at all times), kumbaga (in other words) he has keys to the castle,” Ortega noted.
Ortega also rejected attempts to judge Matibag’s credibility through his previous political affiliation, as he described the NBI chief as a straightforward official who answers questions without embellishment.
Matibag served as secretary general of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) from 2021 until 2023, during the previous Duterte administration.
“Siguro iyong kaunting oras na nakilala ko siya, nakasalamuha ko siya, very upfront naman siya. Hindi siya iyong tipong parang walang drama,” Ortega said.
(From the short time I got to know him and interact with him, he was very upfront. He was not the type with unnecessary drama.)
“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.
(If there is anyone most credible, and perhaps our friends in the media and the public are looking for a bombshell or a heavy statement from here, maybe it is better to use it as informative because they are more privy to information we cannot answer or do not know.)
The House leader acknowledged that Matibag could face extensive questioning because of recent friction involving him and some senator-judges, particularly Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.
But he said the prosecution’s preparation 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."
(There will be no change in the prosecutors’ preparation. But I already said what I saw when I was there during the hearing, we can see there is a bit of friction because of the events that happened in the past month.)
Ortega 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,” the La Union solon said.
(But hopefully they can discuss that and the impeachment court can see its value because on the prosecution side, the testimony of Director Matibag as a witness is very important.)

Related Tags

Melvin Matibag Fireworks Impeachment Sara Duterte witness death threats NBI Paolo Ortega
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