"Threat is Serious" NBI Director Matibag sumalang bilang testigo, pinakilala ng prosekusyon — N18G

[0:00] same before today's trial ends. [0:04] This is also to inform the senator judges to make their submissions at the soonest possible time. [0:10] Otherwise, it shall only be made part of the transcript and the records [0:13] and will no longer be made part of the journal. [0:16] So ordered, and for the information of the body, [0:19] the clerk of court will please call the case before the impeachment court. [0:22] Case number 004-2026 in the matter of impeachment trial of Vice President Cyrus Zimmerman, Duterte. [0:29] Appearances of the parties, please. [0:34] Good afternoon, Your Honours. [0:35] Same appearance for the prosecution. [0:38] We are ready for the presentation of our next witness, Your Honour. [0:41] Appearances for the respondent. [0:44] Good afternoon, Your Honours. [0:45] Same appearance for the defense. [0:48] May we know who on the part of the council, [0:52] rather, who among the panel of prosecutors or counsel from the panel of prosecutors [0:57] will be presenting the witness? [0:59] This representation, Your Honour, will be presenting the next witness. [1:03] May I know likewise on the part of the council for respondents who will be standing on the other side? [1:08] Will it be you, Attorney Pinloan? [1:10] That's correct, Your Honour. [1:11] You may proceed. [1:13] Lead prosecutor, call your first witness. [1:17] Your Honours, we are calling to the witness stand. [1:20] Our next witness, the last witness for Article 4 threat, [1:26] Attorney Melvin Matibag, ZNBI Director. [1:29] Kindly remain standing, Director Matibag. [2:24] The clerk will kindly administer the oath to the witness. [2:30] Kindly turn on the mic of the clerk of court. [2:32] You, Melvin A. Matibag, do swear that the evidence you shall give in the case now pending [2:42] between the Philippines and Vice President Cyrus Germanman Duterte [2:46] shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. [2:50] So help me God. [2:51] Yes, sir. [2:52] Kindly sit down, Director Matibag. [2:54] Before the lead prosecutor proceeds with their direct examinations, [3:01] the chair would like to address the witness regarding certain matters. [3:06] Director Matibag, the chair would like to remind and admonish you on behalf of the impeachment court [3:14] to kindly avoid statements appertaining to individual members of this impeachment court. [3:22] Without prejudice to any investigation you are undertaking, you may do so, [3:26] but without need of issuing statements that may impinge upon the independence and or integrity of the court [3:34] or the individual senator judges. [3:36] And for this reason, for your information as well, Attorney Director Matibag, [3:41] the statements made by Senators, Senator Judge Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Judge Pia Cayetano [3:48] last July 15 pertaining to statements made by you and the video presented in the impeachment court [3:55] shall be referred to the Senate as a legislative body and referred to the appropriate committee, [4:01] specifically the rules committee, for its proper disposition and for the matter to be taken up thereat [4:06] and not in this impeachment court. [4:08] I hope you live here and understand, Director Matibag, the reminder and admonition of the chair. [4:14] Yes, your honor. [4:15] Thank you, Director Matibag. [4:17] Lead prosecutor, the honorable Luis Tro, you may proceed with your direct examination. [4:21] Your honor, we are offering the testimony of witness, NBI Director, Attorney Melvin Matibag, [4:30] to prove the following. [4:33] One, siya ang kasalukuyang director ng National Bureau of Investigation. [4:41] Two, matapos siyang italaga bilang director, may binuo siyang special task force [4:50] para magsagawa ng investigasyon sa patuloy na mga pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo. [4:59] Three, may karagdagang investigasyon na isinagawa ang special task force. [5:06] Hinggil sa mga pagbabantang ginawa sa buhay ng Pangulo, kasama ang pagbabanta ng vicepresidente. [5:16] Four, ang pagbanta sa buhay ng Pangulo ay hindi lamang pagbanta sa kanyang buhay, [5:23] kundi pagbabanta sa pambansang siguridad. [5:29] Five, ang mga natuklasan at naging resulta ng special task force mula sa karagdagang investigasyon. [5:40] Six, kilalanin at patunayan ang mga dokumento kaugnay ng nasabing investigasyon ng NBI. [5:49] Seven, ang iba pang mga bagay na may kaugnayan at mahalaga sa nagaganap na impeachment trial ng vicepresidente. [6:03] Comments, Your Honor. [6:06] Then, Your Honor, as to the first purpose, we are willing to stipulate, Your Honor, [6:11] that Attorney Matibag is the current NBI director. [6:15] In the interest of expediting the proceedings, no need to propound questions on that. [6:19] Number two, as to the task force, Your Honor, we would have to object there to on the basis of them being irrelevant. [6:30] Your Honor would just like to manifest for the record that such task force, Your Honor, [6:35] was not part of the articles of impeachment as well as the impeachment complaint. [6:42] There was no mention thereof, and this is tantamount to a new information. [6:47] So, Your Honor, we would just like to manifest for the record that articles of impeachment is akin to a information that is filed in court, [6:57] and the trial's already started, and the prosecution cannot modify such information or articles of impeachment, [7:04] for such will be a violation of our client's right to due process, [7:09] particularly her right to be promptly and fully apprised of the exact charge against her. [7:15] So, any information, any new information is irrelevant. [7:18] Number three, same objection, Your Honor, because the good counsel mentioned karagdagang investigation. [7:26] So, it pertains also to a new information which is irrelevant. [7:30] Number four, we would have to object because the good counsel used the word banta, which is a conclusion of fact. [7:37] She mentioned it twice, so we are objecting on the basis of it being conclusions of fact. [7:45] Number five, as to the special task force, same objection, Your Honor, [7:48] considering that, again, there was no mention of such information, new information in the articles of impeachment. [7:56] Number six and seven are okay, Your Honor. [8:00] Would the lead prosecutor care to respond? [8:04] We would like to respond, Your Honor. [8:06] The lady may proceed. [8:07] Your Honor, maliwanag po sa naging banta ng vice-presidente, kaugnay ng November 23, 2024 na video. [8:23] May kinausap siyang tao, kaugnay ng kanyang banta sa buhay ng presidente, ng first lady, at ng dating speaker. [8:34] Later, Your Honor, we will present that this special task force was specifically created for the purpose of furthering the investigation [8:49] because of the possibility of seeing na hindi po mag-isa ang vice-presidente sa bantang ito. [9:00] In other words, Your Honor, the mention of special task force, including its creation, at ang karagdagang investigation nito, passes the test of relevance. [9:17] As a matter of fact, this is the very reason why we are presenting Attorney Melvin Matibag, the NBI director, before the Honorable Impeachment Court. [9:32] Your Honor, the defense likewise mentioned that special task force was not mentioned in the Articles of Impeachment. [9:43] Nice ko pong ibalik ang naging desisyon ng kagalanggalang na Impeachment Court kahapon. [9:53] Kaugnay ng mga dokumento which pertains to acts and omissions prior to 2022 and acts or omissions which were not specifically mentioned in the Articles of Impeachment. [10:08] Ang mahalaga po dito, Your Honor, ay itong mga allegasyon or testimony to be presented ay may kaugnayan o relevant sa Article of Impeachment. [10:24] It is not necessary that they be specifically mentioned in the Articles of Impeachment. [10:32] Finally, Your Honor, they likewise raised the issue of due process of the respondent. [10:39] It is very much apparent, Your Honor, since day one of our impeachment trial, the respondent is very well represented by her very much able defense panel. [10:54] In other words, Your Honor, atin pong ibinibigay ang nararapat na due process sa respondent Vice President. [11:04] And as far as this impeachment trial is concerned, kasama na po ang pagtistigo ni NBI Director, kaugnay ng special task force at ang mga naging investigasyon nito. [11:19] Just a short video in there, Your Honor. [11:22] Counsel for respondent may do so before the Chair makes a ruling on the offer in the comments to the offer. [11:28] You may proceed, Attorney Bin Lun. [11:29] Your Honor, considering that the prosecution mentioned dates prior to the appointment of Director Matibag, [11:37] then we would also add as basis for our objection his lack of personal knowledge. [11:42] Noted, Chair will not make a ruling. [11:47] Chair reminds the lead prosecutor to skip the introduction and preliminary questions with respect to the witness being the current NBI Director, [11:57] having been admitted by the counsel for respondent. [12:01] Insofar as the phrase Banta is concerned, Chair would like to remind the senator judges that that is indeed a conclusion [12:08] which the prosecutors will seek to prove for our purposes. [12:13] Tawagin na lamang natin o ituring na lamang natin ang mga pahayagang binitiwan ng ikalawang Pangulo. [12:19] But lead prosecutor, kindly let the witness testify and characterize it as such if he will, [12:26] but it should come from the witness and not from any of the counsel for the parties. [12:30] As to the task force, the task force was formed on April 16, 2026, [12:36] after the impeachment complaints have been filed. [12:41] Although the impeachment complaint was filed before the Senate in May, [12:46] the impeachment complaints were already filed prior to the formation of the task force. [12:51] And as a last point, this, if at all, would show persistence, absence or lack of it, [12:57] which is an element of the crime of grave threats which the prosecution is seeking to prove. [13:03] Again, not through their statements, but through the witnesses they will be presenting. [13:07] In the person today of director Matibag. [13:11] The chair will therefore allow the testimony and the counsel for the respondent [13:16] may object at any time with respect to the points he raised in the chair will rule. [13:20] Each time an objection is raised regarding that matter without prejudice. [13:25] I'm already seeing what attorney bin Luan will do because he's reaching for the mic. [13:28] Without prejudice to the counsel, of course, making a continuing objection [13:32] with respect to his observations to the offer so that we would abbreviate the proceedings [13:37] and he won't need to object each time if at all it is brought up. [13:40] Would that be correct, attorney? [13:41] Yes, Your Honor. We register our continuing objection and everything subject across Europe. [13:47] Noted. The lead prosecutor may proceed. Your witness. [13:50] Mr. Witness, pakisabi po ang inyong pangalan, edad, at iba pang pagkakakilanlan. [14:01] Ako po ay si Atty. Melvin Matibag na kasalukuyang director ng National Bureau of Investigation. [14:06] Ang aming pong tanggapan ay may address na 9th floor, Phil and Best Cyber South Building, [14:14] Justado Makapagal, Pasay City. [14:17] Nabanggit mo na ikaw ay isang abogado. Gaano ka na katagal sa nasabing profesyon? [14:26] 29 years po. [14:30] Saan ka nagtapos ng iyong abogasya? [14:33] Sa Atte Deo Law School po. [14:37] Bago ang iyong abogasya, ano ang una mong inaral sa kolehyo? [14:42] Ako po ay nagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy sa University of Santo Tomas. [14:49] Pagkatapos naman ang abogasya, Mr. Witness, ano ang iyong inaral kung mayroon man? [14:57] Nag-aral po ako ng Masters of Law, Major in Corporate and Finance Law sa Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA po. [15:07] You are here as NBI Director. [15:10] Bago ka ay tinalaga bilang NBI Director, ano ang iyong mga naging trabaho kung mayroon man? [15:23] Bago po ako ay tinalaga na NBI Director, ay kasalukuyang po akong naglilingkod bilang Dean o Dekano ng Lyceum Alabang College of Law. [15:31] Nabanggit mo na ikaw ay dating Dean ng Lyceum College of Law Alabang. [15:41] Bukod sa pagiging Dean, ano pa kung mayroon man ang iyong naging trabaho bagong iyong pagkatalaga bilang NBI Director? [15:52] Ako po ay nanungkulad na rin sa iba't ibang kapasidad sa ilalim po ng iba't ibang adinistrasyon. [15:59] Una-una po rito bilang Director ng Laguna Lake Development Authority sa adinistrasyon po ni dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. [16:08] Nabanggit mo na ikaw ay naglingkod bilang Director ng Laguna Lake Development Authority panahon ng dating Pangulo, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. [16:19] Ano pa, Mr. Witness, kung mayroon man ang iyong naging trabaho bago ka itinalaga bilang NBI Director? [16:31] Sa adinistrasyon po din ng dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, ako rin po ay nanungkulan bilang General Manager ng Manila International Airport Authority. [16:40] At sa adinistrasyon din po ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Rodotete, ako rin po ay nanungkulan sa iba't ibang kapasidad po. [16:49] Nabanggit mo na sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte, nanungkulan ka rin sa gobyerno. Ano itong mga posisyon mo sa gobyerno na iyong nabanggit? [17:04] Objection, Your Honor. Relevance. [17:06] Your Honor, may I respond? [17:08] Council may answer. Council may respond, rather. [17:11] The prosecution, Your Honor, is establishing the competence of the witness, the qualification as an official of the government. [17:21] We are establishing, Your Honor, that he is loyal to his duty, regardless of the principal he is serving. [17:30] Wind up with your preliminaries, Council. Witness may answer. Objection of the rule. [17:35] Thank you, Your Honor. Ako po ay nanungkulan bilang Presidente at CEO ng National Transmission Corporation mula po noong January 2017 hanggang Marso 2022. [17:47] At pagkatapos na ako po ay tinalaga bilang Cabinet Secretary po ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Rodotete. [17:54] Kaugnay pa rin ang iyong pagiging NBI Director. Kailan ka itinalaga sa nasabing posisyon? [18:00] Ako po ay nai-appoint doon po ang February 20 ng kasalukuyang taon po. [18:08] Mr. Witness, bilang NBI Director, ano ang iyong mga responsibilidad at kapangyarihan kung iyong nalalaman? [18:21] Objection, Your Honor. We already stipulated on this matter. There's no need for the Director. [18:25] Your Honor. [18:26] Did you stipulate, Council, as well as with the powers, responsibilities of... [18:31] We're willing to stipulate, Your Honor, as what the law provides. [18:36] Your Honor, regardless of the position of the defense to stipulate on the fact pertaining to the powers and responsibilities of the NBI Director, [18:48] It is the position of the prosecution that since this is a constitutional process, [18:55] mahalaga po na marinig ng ating mga iginagalang na Senator Judges. [19:01] Ganon din ng mga kababayang nanonood kung ano talaga ang responsibilidad at kapangyarihan ng isang NBI Director. [19:10] Understood, Council, but it has been stipulated already by Council for the respondents. [19:15] So kindly, go straight to the matter at the soonest possible time. [19:20] You're in a short leash with respect to the preliminaries on the qualifications of the witness. [19:25] Kindly proceed, ma'am. [19:28] Mr. Witness, ano ang iyong mga kapangyarihan at responsibilidad kung iyong nalalaman? [19:36] Ang kasama po rito sa aking mga responsibilidad, ang una-una na po, we are the primary investigating authority ng ating pong mansa. [19:45] Kung kaya po, ito po ay aming mandato na mag-imbestiga sa anumang usapin o mga maaring krimen na pumapasok sa amin. [19:53] At kasama rin po rito ang pagbabalangkas ng mga pulisiya at pagbubuo po ng mga units or divisions kung kinakailangan [20:02] at ang pagbamanis bin po administratively po ng aming opisina. [20:06] Sa mga kapangyarihan at responsibilidad na iyong binanggit, ano ang araw-araw mong ginagampanan kung mayroon man at kung iyong nalalaman? [20:19] Ang araw-araw pong pagbabantay at pakikipag-ugnayan sa aming mga ahente dahil po sa araw-araw namin pag-ibestiga ng iba't iba pong usapin na pumapasok po sa aming ahensya. [20:30] Kaugnay pa rin ng mga binanggit mong kapangyarihan at responsibilidad, ano ang pinakamabigat mo na responsibilidad bilang NBI Director kung iyong nalalaman? [20:43] Objection, Your Honor. Calls for an opinion. [20:46] Witness may answer. I think witness is competent enough to answer that question. [20:50] Thank you, Mr. Presiding Officer. [20:52] Ang aking pong hindi lamang bilang primary investigating agency, kundi ang aming pong primerong ginagawa ay ang pagbabantay para po sa ating mga taong bayan. [21:05] At bantayan din po na ang ating konstitusyon ay may patupad at siguraduhin na hindi po nagkakaroon ng kaguluhan at ligalig para po ito po ay puksain, habulin at amin pong kinakailangan ay kasuhan ang mga taong lumalabag po sa aming pong mandatong binabantayan. [21:23] Chair, I would like to remind the lead prosecutor to go into the meat of our direct examination already. [21:29] I think we've heard enough of the preliminaries insofar as Director Matibok is concerned. [21:33] Mr. Witness, naririto ka upang tumistigo sa impeachment trial na ito. Ano ang pagkakakilanlan ng respondent sa impeachment trial na ito kung iyong nalalaman? [21:51] Malino naman po, nang nasasakdal po sa impeachment trial na ito ay ang ating pong vicepresidente na si Vice President Sara Duterte. [21:59] Bukod sa ang respondent ay ang vicepresidente, ano pa kung mayroon man ang pagkakakilanlan ng respondent sa impeachment trial na ito? [22:12] Base po sa aking mandato bilang director nang ako po ay pumasok sa abig opisina, lahat po ng mga kasong nakabinbin at mga amin na naipasok sa Department of Justice, [22:27] ay aking pong nirebisa at tinignan upang aking po itong masubaybayan. [22:31] At isa po sa mga kasong aking nakita rito, ang respondent po rito ay ang ating pong vicepresidente, [22:37] kung saan po siya ay kinasuhan ng aming cybercrime division ng grave threat at inciting to sedition na sa kasalukuyan po ngayong nakabinbin sa Department of Justice. [22:46] Nabanggit mo na ang respondent ay may kasong grave threat at inciting to sedition sa DOJ? [22:54] Mr. Witness, ano pa kung mayroon man ang pagkakakilanlan ng respondent sa impeachment trial na ito? [23:02] Ang ating pong vicepresidente, kasalukuyang ating pong subject sa ating continuing investigation, [23:09] dun po sa pagbabanta at plano na pagpatay po sa ating Pangulo, sa First Lady at sa dati pong Speaker of the House. [23:16] Mr. Witness, may binanggit ka na continuing investigation ng NBI. [23:25] Ano ang iyong ginawa kung mayroon man kaugnay ng ongoing investigation ng NBI na iyong binanggit? [23:35] Tayo po ay nagtatag ng tinatawag ko ni Special Task Force po sa pamamagitan ng pag-create po ng isang administrative order [23:41] kung saan bumalangkas po tayo ng mga miyembro ng aming pong opisina para sila po ang mag-tuloy ng investigation na ito at mag-monitor po ng mga kailangang gawin. [23:51] Kaugnay pa rin ng binanggit mong Special Task Force, ano ang kahalagahan nito sa investigasyon na ginagawa ng National Bureau of Investigation? [24:05] Napakahalaga po para sa amin sapagkat na from our law enforcement perspective, ang ginawa pong banta ng Vice Presidente ay tinatrato na namin hindi banta [24:15] kundi isang plano para po sa pagpatay sa ating Pangulo. [24:19] And that is a threat to the President which we consider also na-threat po sa ating National Security. [24:25] Mr. Witness, katunayan mayroon ka. Kaugnay ng iyong binanggit na binuong Special Task Force upang mag-imbestiga sa lahat ng banta sa buhay ng Presidente kasama na ang pagbabanta ng Vice Presidente. [24:46] Meron po akong inisyo na Administrative Order No. 11 noong April 16 ng kasalukuyang taon po. [24:54] At kung ipapakita sa iyo ang kopya ng Administrative Order No. 11, ito ba ay makikilala mo? [25:06] Opo. [25:08] Your Honor, may we request that AO No. 11, previously marked as Exhibit P-429, be flashed. [25:18] We likewise request, Your Honor, that Attorney Kyle Kapunan, Assisting Counsel, be allowed to approach the witness for confirmation of the document. [25:32] Assisting Counsel for the Prosecution may approach and likewise, Assisting Counsel for the Respondent may approach to confirm and validate the document being shown to the witness. [25:41] Likewise, the text through the Clerk of Court is instructed to kindly flash in the screens the document being referred to by the Lead Prosecutor, the Honorable Luistro. [25:57] Kindly zoom it in, please. [26:01] Mr. Witness, if you have a... [26:03] Your Honor, Your Honor, can you be given time to comment? [26:07] Your Honor, we manifest, for the record, Your Honor, that the document is a photocop. [26:12] So noted, does the Lead Prosecutor confirm the observation of the Counsel for Respondents while we are awaiting, the Respondent rather, while we are awaiting for their review of the document? [26:45] Your Honor, after the confirmation of the document, the Prosecution will be requesting for the transfer of marking to a certified true copy, Your Honor. [26:54] At a later time? [26:56] Yes, Your Honor. [26:57] Noted. [26:58] Counsel may proceed when she's ready. [27:01] Mr. Witness, ipinapakita sa'yo ngayon, may we request the Assisting Council to please show the document to the witness? [27:16] Not really, does it. [27:18] Attorney Capunan, kindly. [27:20] Mr. Witness, ipinapakita sa'yo ngayon ang isang dokumento na may pamagat na Administrative Order No. 11. [27:27] Ano ang kaugnayan nito sa binanggit mo kanina na Administrative Order No. 11 na kung saan nabuo ang Special Task Force? [27:41] Ito po yung aking dokumentong binabanggit. [27:44] Sa pangalawang pahina ng Administrative Order No. 11, makikita ang isang lagda sa taas ng pangalang Attorney Melvin Matibag. [27:55] Kaninong lagda ito, Mr. Witness? [27:59] Sa akin po. [28:01] Your Honor, may we manifest that AO No. 11 has been previously marked as Exhibit P-429, and we just want to place on record the request for the transfer of marking at a later time to the certified true copy, Your Honor. [28:17] Noted. [28:18] Paugnay pa rin ng Administrative Order No. 11, Mr. Witness. Ano ang komposisyon ng Special Task Force kung iyong nalalaman? [28:32] Ito po ay binubuo ng iba't ibang division na pinamumunuan po ng aming team leader na Deputy Director for Operations at dalawa po na Assistant Team Leader sa pangunguna po ng Assistant Director namin for Investigation at Assistant Director for Intelligence po. [28:50] Nabanggit mo ang Team Leader at Assistant Team Leader ng Special Task Force. Sino naman ang mga miyembro ng Special Task Force kung iyong nalalaman? [29:05] Your Honor, hindi po sino kundi ito po ay mga grupo, specific units po. Isa na po rito ang National Capital Region Division namin, ang Cyber Crime Division po namin, ang aming OCTD, Organized Crime Transnational Crime Division, ang TID po at ang CFD. [29:25] Mr. Witness, nabanggit mo ang National Capital Region Division. Ano ang dahilan at isinama ang National Capital Region Division sa miyembro ng Special Task Force kung iyong nalalaman? [29:42] Mr. Witness, binanggit mo din kanina ang Cyber Crime Division. Ano naman ang dahilan? [30:14] Bakit ginawang miyembro ng Special Task Force ang Cyber Crime Division? [30:20] Ang Cyber Crime Division po ay kasama dito sa task force na ito sapagkat marami po ngayon na nabanta na pumapasok po sa ating Pangulo sa pamamagitan po paggamit ng social media platform at ang CCD po sila po yung may karanasan at kaalaman po na nasapat para bantayan po ang mga bantang papasok dito sa pangaraw-araw po. [30:43] Mr. Witness, binanggit mo din ang Organized Transnational Crime Division. Ano naman ang dahilan at isinama ito sa Special Task Force kung mayroon man? [30:57] Hindi naman po lingit sa atin na ang ating Pangulo ay may mga pagkakataon na lumalabas ng ating bansa at nagbabiyahe na kung saan ay kaating pa rin pong tungkuli na bantayan ang kanyang siguridad kahit siya ay nasa labas sa ating bansa. [31:13] At ang ating Pong Organized Transnational Crime Division, sila po yung merong ugnayan sa ating mga counterparts sa iba't ibang bansa upang ating may siguro ang kaligtasan po ng ating Pangulo habang siya ay nasa labas ng ating bansa. [31:29] Mr. Witness, kasama sa iyong binanggit ang Technical Intelligence Division. Ano naman ang dahilan? At kasama ito sa miyembro ng STF kung mayroon man? [31:40] Napaka-importante po ng role ng TID, ng Technical Intelligence Division, sapagkat ang mga banta po na katulad ng pumapasok po sa ating Pangulo, [31:50] ay nangangailangan po ng masusi at malawak na intelligence network. At ang TID po natin, sila po ang may karapatan dito at nagpo-proseso ng ganito pong gawain. [32:01] Bilang huli, Mr. Witness, binanggit mo din ang Digital Forensic Laboratory Division. Ano naman ang dahilan? [32:11] At isinama ito sa miyembro ng Special Task Force. [32:15] Importante po ang kanilang role dito sa task force na ito sapagkat lahat po ng mga ebidensya na ating makakalap, [32:22] lalong-lalo na nakailangan pong idaan sa forensics o pagsusuri na technical, sila po ang division na maaari pong gumawa ng pagsusuri na ito. [32:30] Maraming salamat sa iyong paglilinaw kaugnay ng komposisyon ng Special Task Force. [32:36] Mr. Witness, anong mga pagkakataon kailangan ng NBI bumuo ng task force kung iyong nalalaman? [32:47] Ang pagpo po ng task force ay yung mga immediate po na pangangailangan na ating tugunan. [32:52] Isa po yan. Tanggalwa po rito ay kung isa nang malawakan ang isang bagay na kailangan nating tugunan at imbestigahan. [33:01] At ang task force din po, kaya po ganyan kalawak kung makikita ninyo, ay kung ang nasasakupan po nito ay hindi lamang iisang lugar. [33:10] At yung pong mga seryosong banta, nakatulad ng banta sa ating Pangulo, [33:15] ay ganitong task force po ang pakiramdam namin na kinakailangan. [33:18] Mr. Witness, balikan ko ang special task force na iyong binuo. [33:23] Kanina, ibinahagi mo ang komposisyon nito. [33:27] Ano ang iyong partisipasyon bilang NBI Director kung meron man sa imbestigasyon ng special task force? [33:35] Nakasad po dyan sa administrative quarter na yan, [33:39] ang patuloy na pagkikipag-ugdayan po sa office ng Director, [33:43] patuloy na pag-uulat kung ano man po ang kanilang nakikita o namomonitor, [33:48] at lalong-lalong na po kung may specific po na kailangan kaagad ba tugunan, [33:53] ay dapat pong ipalam sa opisina po ng office ng Director. [33:57] Balikan natin ang special task force na binuo sa ilalim ng AO No. 11. [34:03] Mr. Witness, ano ang nagtulak sa'yo kung mayroon man upang buo? [34:12] Bila, given that we had to await the manifestations to be submitted, [34:17] to be made part of the journal. [34:19] The other manifestations that were not submitted within today [34:24] will be made part of the transcript and the records. [34:28] The approval of the journal is made important, [34:31] especially given the manifestation of the counsel for respondent, [34:34] that they need a copy of the ruling of the chair yesterday [34:38] in order to afford them enough time [34:41] to avail of whatever remedies they may have in relation [34:45] to the court's ruling yesterday. [34:48] So, counsel for the respondent may proceed with this clause. [34:52] When he's ready, you may proceed, sir. [34:54] As NBI Director, you are the Chief Executive of the Bureau. [35:04] I'm the Chief of the Bureau, yes. [35:07] And part of your duties is to oversee the conduct of investigation, correct? [35:11] Tama po. [35:13] You're also authorized to issue sabinas [35:15] for the production of witnesses and documents, correct? [35:18] Correct. Tama po. [35:19] Very well. [35:21] Now, the NBI conducted an investigation [35:23] following the November 23, 2024 press con, am I right? [35:29] I'm aware under the report that there was a subpoenaed issue. [35:32] But I have no personal knowledge of the issue. [35:34] Okay. We'll go there in a while. [35:37] But this investigation was documented [35:39] in the two affidavits of investigation, correct? [35:43] That's correct. [35:44] And did you read and understand [35:46] these two affidavits of investigation? [35:48] I read the affidavit of investigation [35:50] which was forwarded to the Department of Justice [35:54] which is dated February 11. [35:56] Okay. [35:57] So, as part of that investigation, [36:00] will you agree that individuals were subpoenaed? [36:03] There were individuals subpoenaed. [36:04] More or less than subpoenas. [36:06] Your Honor, please. [36:07] Counsel for the panel of prosecutors. [36:10] Rather, the lead prosecutors recognize. [36:12] Your Honor, [36:12] the witness was appointed as NBI director [36:16] only in February 2026. [36:19] His testimony with respect to the first investigation [36:21] will only be based on records. [36:25] So, if it will go into the detail of the investigation, [36:29] I'm afraid, Your Honor, [36:30] he is not competent [36:31] as he has no personal knowledge [36:33] about the first investigation, Your Honor. [36:35] To begin with, [36:36] asked and answered. [36:37] And the witness was about to answer [36:39] if he knows. [36:40] Given that he is the superior, [36:41] current superior of this agency, [36:43] and I presume [36:44] that he has kept himself abreast [36:46] of what happened in his agency [36:49] prior to his assumption [36:50] in February of 2026. [36:53] Witness may answer if he knows. [36:55] Please repeat the question. [36:57] So, more or less [36:58] around 10 subpoenas were issued. [36:59] Thank you.