MANILA, Philippines – Sapat na ebidensiya ang personal na pananalita ni Vice President Sara Duterte laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at iba pa sa kasong citing to sedition dahil hinikayat nito ang taumbayan na umaklas laban sa gobyerno.
Ganito ang testimonya ni Atty Jeremy Lotoc ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sa ika-apatna araw ng paglilitis sa Articles of Impeachment na inihain laban kay Duterte.
Naunang itinanong ni Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo sa kanyang cross examination hinggil kung may sapat na ebidensiya ang ahensiya sa kasong inciting to sedition.
“Well, Your Honor, inciting to sedition, in our investigation, we were able to establish that those utterances from 18 October 2024, November 23, 2024, and other facts and circumstances, even in November 26, 2024, we believe that those utterances have a tendency, Your Honor, to stir up the people to go against the government have tendency to disturb the public peace of the community, the peace of the community, and have tendency to undermine public safety and public order. And I think that’s elements of the inciting to sedition,” giit ni Lotoc.
Iginiit pa ni Lotoc na magkaka-kabit o intertwined ang bantang pagpatay kay Pangulong Marcos sa panghihikayat ni Duterte sa taumbayan na umalsa laban sa gobyerno.
“They’re intertwined. Is that what you’re saying?,” tanong ni Tulfo.
“Based on our findings, Your Honor,” ayon kay Lotoc sa tanong ni Tulfo.
Kinuwestiyon din ni Tulfo kung may nakitang motibo si Duterte, base sa natuklasan ng NBI, sa panghihikayat sa taumbayan na umalsa laban sa gobyerno dahil alinsunod sa paniniwala ng bise presidente na siya ang susunod na Pangulo ng bansa.
“Based on your findings. And what could be the motive of the Vice President inciting people to sedition, to revolt against the government, when in fact, she will be the next President of the Republic? She’s been saying, and everybody knows, and she’s been claiming. Well, what do you think? Did you look deeper? Why incite the sedition? I mean, in fact, you’re the Vice President. Usually, in our country, Mr. Witness, the Vice President, would run for Presidency. What could be the motive?” tanong ni Tulfo.
Bilang tugon ni Lotoc: “Well, Your Honor, what we have established is the fact that the relationship between the two were very hostile.And what we established is the fact that the Vice President has committed grave threats and inciting to sedition. You know, yung focused namin, Your Honor. And so far, yung mas malalim pa na motibo, wala akong personal knowledge.”
Hiniling din ni Tulfo sa kanyang cross examination kay Lotor na kung mayroon kaya nitong tukuyin ang pinakamalakas na ebidensiya na kanilang sinasandigan kung bakit naghain ang kaso sa Department of Justice. “ And what is the status of this case, Mr. Witness?”
“Well, Your Honor, the piece of evidence that we attached or we incorporated in our investigation is sufficient and has satisfied the requirements of the quantum of evidence required which is prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction. And the fact, Your Honor, that the Department of Justice has issued certification stating that your referral, your transmittal, has complied all the elements of the crime charge and therefore good for preliminary investigation,” ayon kay Lotoc.
Kasalukuyan pang pinag-aaralan ng DOJ ang kaso laban kay Duterte, ayon sa testigo.
“It’s ongoing, Your Honor. Kung tama ang naalala ko. It’s ongoing, Your Honor,” ani Lotoc.
Tiniyak pa ni Lotoc na mayroon airtight case ang NBI laban kay Duterte kaya’t naihain ang kaso sa DOJ.
Bahagi si Lotoc bilang dating hepe ng Anti-Cybercrime Division ng NBI na nag-imbestiga kay Duterte nang pagbantaan nito sina Marcos kasama si First Lady Lisa Marcos at dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Kasama sa tungkulin ng NBI, ayon sa mga tumestigo sa impeachment court, na imbestigahan ang lahat ng pagbabanta sa Pangulo, vice president, Senate president, speaker of the House at justices ng Supreme Court. Ernie Reyes
