Senator Hontiveros asks VP Duterte's defense team if alleged threats are justifiable

Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros asked Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team if alleged threats could be considered justified if they were prompted by what the defense has described as the oppression of her chief of staff.

The exchange took place after defense counsel Carlo Joaquin Narvasa presented video clips showing Office of the Vice President (OVP) Chief of Staff and Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez in tears while criticizing the House of Representatives for citing her in contempt and detaining her in November 2024.

Hontiveros questioned the purpose of the videos, asking if they were meant to support the argument that Duterte’s alleged threats were triggered by Lopez’s detention.

Narvasa replied: “Yes, your Honor, there was a systematic oppression made by the House of Representatives dating back from their, even before their mini-trial, your Honor, the committee headed by Rep. Joel Chua began investigating the Vice President and her people, even when Atty. Zuleika Lopez was being interviewed by the House committee (on good government).”

“Even if she was answering the questions faithfully to the best of her ability, she was cited in contempt, detained, and her lawyer was not allowed to be with her when they were trying to detain her in the Women’s Correctional Facility, your Honor,” he added.

Hontiveros then asked whether the defense was effectively arguing that Duterte’s alleged grave threats should be excused if they were made for what it considered a legitimate reason.

“Mr. Presiding officer, counsel for the defense, is it the position of the defense that the alleged grave threats can be excused if there is a legitimate reason for making them?” Hontiveros asked.

Narvasa responded: “Your Honor, that is not the point.”

Hontiveros persisted, saying: “No, no, your Honor, Mr. Presiding officer, I am making a point through my question, and I am asking the good counsel for the defense. Because they said there was systematic oppression, that yes, it prompted the Vice President’s alleged grave threats and alleged incitements, which were prompted by the detention of Atty. Lopez.”

Before Narvasa could elaborate, Presiding Officer and Senator-judge Francis Escudero intervened, reminding senator-judges to avoid asking questions that would require counsel to make legal or factual conclusions instead of presenting evidence through witnesses.

“Because if he answers, Senator-Judge Hontiveros, that would effectively place on record a conclusion of fact and law, not drawn from a witness, which they can very well do during their closing remarks, and when I allow him to speak. But other than that, as agreed with some of the senator-judges, we will try to limit the answers of counsel for the parties,” Escudero explained.

The exchange occurred as the impeachment court continued hearing Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which centers on Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

National Bureau of Investigation agent John Mark Calilung first took the witness stand on Tuesday as the prosecution began presenting evidence on the article.

The alleged threats were made during Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 online press briefing following her visit to Lopez, who was then being detained inside the House of Representatives.

-Paraluman News