QUEZON CITY, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag arrived at the Batasang Pambansa on Wednesday morning, April 29, 2026, for a pivotal hearing regarding the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The NBI chief is appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Justice to present official findings related to alleged threats made by the Vice President against the country’s top leadership.
The NBI’s testimony is expected to center on controversial remarks made by Duterte in late 2024. During a probe into the alleged misuse of confidential funds, the Vice President stated she had instructed an individual to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez should a supposed plot against her be carried out.
- NBI Finding: Director Matibag is expected to present the bureau’s analysis of whether these statements constitute a credible personal threat or a violation of national security laws.
- Duterte’s Defense: The Vice President has previously denied that her remarks were a personal threat, characterizing them as a response to perceived security risks against herself.
Wednesday’s hearing is a critical juncture in the impeachment process. The House Committee on Justice is slated to:
- Review the NBI Evidence: Evaluate the bureau’s investigation into the alleged threats and other grounds for impeachment.
- Probable Cause Vote: Cast a vote on whether there is sufficient “probable cause” to move the impeachment complaints forward to the House plenary and eventually to a Senate trial.
The NBI testimony adds another layer to the mounting legal challenges facing the Vice President:
- Tax Audit: Just one day prior, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) launched a tax audit of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, citing suspicious bank transactions totaling billions of pesos.
- Confidential Funds: The impeachment also addresses allegations regarding the handling and liquidation of hundreds of millions in confidential funds during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
As he entered the session hall, Matibag briefly told reporters, “Whatever they’ll ask, that’s what I’ll answer,” indicating the bureau’s readiness to participate in the legislative inquiry. The outcome of the committee’s vote today will determine the trajectory of the most significant political crisis facing the current administration.