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PASAY CITY—Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo confronted the defense team on July 13, during the ongoing impeachment trial, demanding clarity over a supposed plot dubbed "Operation Romanov" aimed at eliminating Vice President Sara Duterte and her family.
“You said, and I quote, ‘The truth of the matter is this. She and her family were threatened and while her response is unconventional, it was justified. What triggered her response was a question about Operation Romanov. Which is the plan to eliminate VP Sara and her family,’” Senator-judge Tulfo asked the defense.
Tulfo pressed defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan on whether the team plans to summon a vlogger known as Princess Maui to the witness stand to testify about the alleged conspiracy.
During the sharp exchange, Tulfo quoted Vinluan’s own previous statements defending an individual's "unconventional" but allegedly justified response after being triggered by questions surrounding the plot.
"Now, Atty. Vinluan, this Operation Romanov that you mentioned, are you referring to the Operation Romanov mentioned by vlogger Princess Maui during the online press conference?" Tulfo asked, forcing the defense to address the viral online claims within the formal halls of the senate.
Vinluan confirmed the connection but kept the defense's strategy under wraps, stating that the decision to officially call Princess Maui as a witness hinges entirely on how the prosecution builds its case moving forward.
"Yes. Your honor, at this point, it will depend on what will be established by the prosecution. The defense reserves its right to call or not call any witness," Atty. Vinluan replied to end the query of the Senator-judge.
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Date posted: July 13, 2026 10:18 PM