There is no basis or evidence to support the allegations of threats and the supposed assassin or hitman, Vice President Sara Duterte reiterated in response to the prosecution's accusations.

Meanwhile, the defense emphasized that they are ready to question the credibility of the testimonies being presented by the opposing panel, one of which involves the related investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Minutes before the start of the fifth day of the impeachment trial today, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement in connection with the testimony of NBI-BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc during the fourth day of the trial yesterday.

According to VP Duterte, the complaints of grave threats and inciting to sedition against her are clearly not supported by evidence. She added that the prosecution's repeated claim of threats has no truth to it, that the existence of an assassin was also allegedly invented, and that the evidence used to support these allegations was likewise merely fabricated.

Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa, meanwhile, said they wanted to focus the cross-examination of Lotoc on the presence of bias in the NBI's investigation against VP Duterte.

"It goes into bias, basically. Because then, now, the report is questionable. But whether we were able to establish bias, once again, is not something for us to say in the media because it would be unfair to the other party." Atty Poa said.

Atty. Poa did not elaborate further on the merits of the case, as this is prohibited under the rules of the Senate Impeachment Court. He said he is not in a position to say whether they were able to establish the alleged bias of the NBI, since the decision on this matter now rests with the assessment of the senator-judges.

Meanwhile, Atty. Justin Nicol Gular, one of the members of the defense panel, was designated as deputy spokesperson of the camp.

"Kasi nga minsan nahihirapan ako with the media schedule so I'm tapping him to be the deputy spokesperson of the defense team. So in case hindi ako available, at least someone will help the defense in terms of having to get our message across." Defense team spokesperson added.

(Because sometimes I have a hard time with the media schedule, so I'm tapping him to be the deputy spokesperson of the defense team. So in case I'm not available, at least someone will help the defense in terms of having to get our message across.)

VP Sara also emphasized in her statement that the allegations against her are an attack on the integrity of institutions and public trust, a waste of the country's resources, and an obstruction to the search for truth.

Lastly, the Vice President said that the impeachment proceedings should be based on real evidence and not on fabricated allegations, because the law is grounded in truth and not merely in stories.

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