Sara Duterte's threats predated Zuleika Lopez's detention - House prosecutors
House prosecutors in the Philippines argue that Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged threats against President Marcos were premeditated rather than a reaction to her chief of staff's detention. Legal representatives claim evidence shows an agreement to carry out the threats existed prior to the detention.
Why it matters
This testimony is central to the ongoing political tension and impeachment-related proceedings involving the Philippine executive branch.
MANILA, Philippines - House prosecutors are arguing that Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials was not triggered by the detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, but only disclosed during it.
Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr., a private prosecutor and legal spokesperson for the House prosecution panel, said National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc's testimony established that Duterte had allegedly spoken to someone about carrying out the threat even before Lopez was detained at the House of Representatives.
"As pointed out by Lotoc, the agreement was made even before the detention. She just announced to the world that there was an agreement during that detention," Tolosa told ANC's "Headstart" on Wednesday, July 15.
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