VP trial day 5: Zuleika Lopez to testify after Lotoc

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s aide, Zuleika Lopez is scheduled to testify on the fifth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday.

Lopez will be presented by the House prosecution panel after the examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc.

Lotoc was called on Monday to the stand as the second witness of the prosecution on Duterte’s alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Rep. Martin Romualdez.

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The prosecution wrapped its direct examination of Lotoc on Monday, and although the defense began its cross-examination on the same day, after six hours, the Senate impeachment court adjourned the trial, scheduling the cross to continue on Tuesday.

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READ: WATCH: Lotoc says VP Sara spoke to alleged assassin before 2024 presser

After the cross-examination, Lotoc may face a redirect and recross from the prosecution and the defense, respectively.

It is only after Lotoc is formally excused by the court that Lopez may be called in to testify.

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Lopez is among the witnesses of the prosecution as she was present during the online press conference where Duterte made threats, characterized by Lotoc as “real and actual,” against the first couple and Romualdez.

Duterte made the pronouncements on November 23, 2024, when, at the same conference, Lopez claimed her life was being threatened amid detention at the House.

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Lopez was detained at the House of Representatives after the chamber’s committee on good government cited her in contempt during its hearing on the confidential funds of the vice president. /cb

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