National Bureau of Investigation-BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc firmly denied that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the investigation into the threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte against him, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in November 2024.

During cross-examination by one of the defense counsels, Atty. Mark Vinluan, Lotoc detailed the process of the NBI's investigation, up to the filing of complaints with the Department of Justice.

Atty. Mark Vinluan
Defense Counsel, VP Sara Duterte
"Did BBM at any point intervene in this investigation?

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
Of course not, sir. Of course not. 

Lotoc explained that although the DOJ is part of the President's cabinet, and the NBI is an attached agency of the DOJ, the President had no involvement in their motu proprio investigation. He did not deny, however, that they received instructions from the DOJ, especially since the matter is a public interest issue.

Atty. Mark Vinluan
Defense Counsel, VP Sara Duterte
"So BBM has control over both the NBI and the DOJ, correct?

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
What do you mean by control, sir? What's your interpretation of control? You seem to be a smart man. The Department of Justice and the Office of the President, so far as the function of the NBI is concerned, hindi sila nakikialam doon. Kung ano yung findings ng NBI, kung ano yung recommendation, sinasubmit po namin ito sa Department of Justice."

(they do not interfere with that. Whatever the findings of the NBI are, whatever the recommendation is, we submit it to the Department of Justice.)

He said the purpose of their complaint submitted to the DOJ was to go through the evaluation process and case build-up until it reaches the stage of preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, Senator-Judge Bam Aquino asked whether the NBI continued its search for the alleged hitman supposedly hired by VP Duterte. Lotoc responded that they had asked around among those present at VP Sara's press conference, but despite this—

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
"Unfortunately wala kaming ma-establish na validated information na naconfirm. Hanggang ngayon naghihintay kami."

(Unfortunately, we were not able to establish any validated information that was confirmed. Until now, we are still waiting.)

Although the NBI found no hitman, they are not dismissing the threats made by VP Sara.

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
"If the second highest official of the land sinabi yan. Hindi biro yan. Mabigat ho yan, may kasamang galit at pagmumura. We do it very seriously. Your Honor."

(...said that. That is not a joke. That is serious, it came with anger and cursing.)

Meanwhile, in an update given yesterday by DOJ Secretary Frederrick Vida, he said the grave threats and inciting to sedition complaints against the Vice President remain pending before their panel of prosecutors.

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