Administration lawmakers are optimistic that the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) filing of charges against Vice President Sara Duterte for inciting sedition and grave threats will strengthen the impeachment case against her.

In an interview on Wednesday, Ako Bicol Rep. Angelo Jil Bongalon, a member of the prosecution team, expressed confidence that the serious charges would support their push for conviction.

“The NBI’s recommendation provides substantial support to the impeachment case, as it highlights the gravity of the allegations against VP Duterte,” Bongalon stated. “It strengthens our position that the Vice President committed criminal acts, including grave threats and inciting to sedition.”

The charges stemmed from Duterte’s November 2024 comments, where she allegedly instructed an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed amid what she described as ongoing political persecution.

Duterte later denied making such statements, claiming her remarks were taken out of context.

The kill plot was one of the seven grounds cited by the House of Representatives in its impeachment proceedings, with 215 lawmakers endorsing the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V, a vocal critic of Duterte, welcomed the NBI’s decision, though he found it unsurprising.

“That’s expected, as we all saw it on her Facebook live,” he said, referring to the VP’s death threat. “This development should remind everyone that no one is above the law, and our democratic institutions must operate without fear or favor.”

Duterte, who has not yet reviewed the articles of impeachment, stated that her legal team is preparing a defense and deciding on their next steps. She also declined to confirm whether her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, would be part of her legal team.

The younger Duterte made history as the first Vice President ever to be impeached by Congress, facing allegations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. The Senate is expected to begin her trial after the State of the Nation Address in July.

Panelo slams NBI

Former Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo criticized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for recommending the filing of charges for Inciting to Sedition and Grave Threats against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Panelo said NBI Director Jaime Santiago “should go back to law school.”

“His agency’s recommendation to file criminal charges of Grave Threats and Inciting to Sedition against VP Sara has no basis in fact or law,” Panelo stated.