MANILA — The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday reminded National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag to refrain from making public statements involving members of the impeachment court as proceedings in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continue.
Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero issued the admonition immediately after Matibag took the witness stand, emphasizing the need to uphold the independence and integrity of both the impeachment court and its senator-judges.
Escudero said Matibag may continue conducting lawful investigations within the NBI’s mandate but cautioned him against making statements that could be perceived as influencing or undermining the impartiality of the court or its members.
The reminder stemmed from Matibag’s earlier pronouncements that the NBI would investigate alleged irregularities related to the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, an issue that drew objections from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, both serving as senator-judges in the impeachment proceedings.
Senator Alan Cayetano, who previously chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), questioned the timing of the public announcement, saying investigations may proceed but should not affect the integrity of the impeachment court.
Escudero clarified that concerns raised by the Cayetano siblings regarding Matibag’s statements and a video presentation during the trial would be referred to the Senate as a legislative body, specifically to the appropriate committees, including the Rules Committee, for proper action.
He stressed that the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of the impeachment court and should instead be addressed through the Senate’s regular legislative processes.
The impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte resumed Tuesday with the presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence as senators continue to hear the charges brought against the Vice President.
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