NBI mandated by law to probe VP Duterte threats vs Marcos – Lotoc

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is mandated by law to investigate threats against the country’s high officials, Jeremy Lotoc, a regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), testified on Monday, the fourth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lotoc made the statement under direct examination by House prosecutor Amando Virgil Lotoc.

Lotoc is an NBI regional director who headed the investigation into the alleged threat made by Duterte in a November 23, 2024, press conference video against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez

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READ: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte | July 13, 2026

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Lotoc’s background

During the trial, Lotoc placed on record his professional background, statutory authority, and direct role in the investigation of the case.

He described the unit’s work as investigating crimes committed through information and communication technology, including high-profile cases under relevant laws.

“I am Attorney Jeremy C. Lotoc. I’m 50 years of age, and currently the regional director of the NBI Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Lotoc said.

He told the impeachment court that he joined the Philippine Bar in 2013, adding: “I’ve been in the NBI for the past 12 years, sir.”

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Before holding regional director posts in Mimaropa and BARMM, Lotoc headed the unit that investigated the “kill threat” video issue under Article IV of the articles of impeachment against Duterte.

“I was the chief of the NBI Cyber Crime Division, Your Honor,” Lotoc said, adding that he got that designation in February 2023.

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“Primary duties, among others — to plan, direct, and supervise the investigation of cybercrime cases, pursuant to Republic Act 10175 and other relevant laws. And part of my duties and responsibilities is to investigate high-profile cases, um, pursuant to Republic Act 10867, specifically crimes committed by, uh, through and with the use of information and communication technology, sir.”

Republic Act No. 10175 is known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Republic Act No. 10867 is the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act, which assigns the bureau primary jurisdiction over specified cases, including threats to the security of the country’s highest officials.

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Covered by law

Asked why the NBI handled the investigation of the vice president’s statements, Lotoc cited that mandate directly: “Well, under the law, specifically Republic Act 10867, the NBI has primary jurisdiction to undertake investigations on cases, among others, um, cases involving threats to security and assault against the persons of the highest officials, sir.”

Lotoc identified the officials covered by that provision, saying: “They are the president, the vice president, uh, the Senate president, the speaker of the House, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, sir.”

According to Lotoc, Duterte’s statements concerned officials covered by Republic Act No. 10867 and appeared in an online public briefing.

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The Senate impeachment court will determine the weight and significance of the evidence after hearing the parties. /atm