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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'No relevancy': Ridon slams VP Duterte defense for shoehorning Matibag's wife in cross-examination

'No relevancy': Ridon slams VP Duterte defense for shoehorning Matibag's wife in cross-examination

Published Jul 22, 2026 11:56 am

At A Glance

  • Rep. Terry Ridon criticizes the defense for raising NBI Director Melvin Matibag's wife during cross-examination, arguing it is irrelevant to testing the witness's credibility.
  • Director Matibag defends his independence, stating there was no coaching by prosecutors, President Marcos did not interfere, and the NBI acted autonomously in investigative matters.
  • Senator Francis Escudero grants the defense its first continuance to review new topics, while cautioning both sides against making repeated requests.
From left: NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Laguna 1st district Rep. Ann Matibag, Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)
From left: NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Laguna 1st district Rep. Ann Matibag, Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)


Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon assailed the defense team of impeachment trial respondent Vice President Sara Duterte for bringing up National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag's wife during the witness' cross-examination.
“We find that there is no relevancy in testing the credibility [of Director Matibag] relating to that particular point,” Ridon, a solon-prosecutor in the Senate impeachment trial, said on Tuesday, July 22 following the first part of the NBI chief's cross-examination.
Matibag, the prosecution panel's final witness for article IV of the articles of impeachment, stood his ground when defense lawyer Mark Vinluan raised the matter pertaining to the former's wife, Laguna 1st district Rep. Ann Matibag.
The particular article covers the grave threats and inciting to sedition charges against Duterte, which stemmed from her Nov. 23, 2024 death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Vinluan pointed out during cross that Rep. Matibag was among those who endorsed Vice President Duterte's impeachment at the House of Representatives. This successful impeachment led to the ongoing Senate impeachment trial against the second highest official of the land.
“Hindi ho kailangang magpaalam ni Congresswoman Matibag sa kanyang mga decision bilang elected na kinatawan ng isang distrito ng Laguna,” Ridon said.
(Congresswoman Matibag does not need to seek permission for her decisions as an elected representative of a district in Laguna.)
“Mayroong sariling pag-iisip si Congresswoman Matibag, in the same manner na mayroong sariling pag-iisip at decision si Director Matibag sa kanila pong mga career sa buhay,” he added.
(Congresswoman Matibag has her own mind, in the same manner that Director Matibag has his own mind and decisions regarding their respective careers in life.)
The cross-examination also covered Matibag’s meetings with the prosecution before his testimony, his appointment by President Marcos, opinion columns he wrote before becoming NBI director, and a video of a private conversation in which he acknowledged an emotional outburst--again, in a supposed bid to test his credibility.
Matibag said there was no coaching during his meetings with the prosecution panel, particularly with lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro.
He also said President Marcos had not participated in the investigation and that the NBI exercised independence in investigative matters.
The defense later requested additional time to study what it described as new topics and materials presented during Luistro'd direct examination on Matibag.
The prosecution opposed the request, but the presiding officer, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, granted the defense its first continuance. He then cautioned both parties from making such requests a habit.

Related Tags

Melvin Matibag NBI Sara Duterte Impeachment witness Terry Ridon Ann Matibag
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