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The Senate impeachment court reminded National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag to leave rulings to the senator-judges during the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 22.
During cross-examination, defense lawyer Mark Vinluan questioned Matibag on the NBI's use of former police officer Arturo Lascañas' affidavit, which claimed Duterte was among the architects of the previous administration's anti-drug war. Vinluan asked whether the NBI relied on the affidavit without issuing a subpoena for Lascañas to verify his claims.
Matibag said the NBI instead pursued a verification process.
When Vinluan repeated the question, Matibag responded that it had already been "asked and answered po, your Honor," raising an objection typically made by opposing counsel rather than a witness.
Meanwhile, impeachment court presiding officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, appearing amused by the exchange, reminded Matibag that rulings on such objections are for the impeachment court to make.
Escudero nonetheless granted the objection, noting that Matibag was correct that the question had already been answered.
The exchange was among the lighter moments of the day's proceedings, which focused on Article IV of the impeachment complaint covering Duterte's alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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Date posted: July 23, 2026 12:39 PM