Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday questioned the qualifications of a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent who authenticated a video presented as evidence in one of the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a social media post, Roque argued that NBI Senior Agent John Mark Calilung was not qualified to testify as an expert witness on the authenticity of the video during the impeachment proceedings.
Roque, an ally of the Duterte family, maintained that he and others directly involved in the recording were in a better position to verify its authenticity.
“Who can authenticate the video: Me, since I broadcasted the video, any of the 42 participants including VP Sara and Atty. [Zuleika]; and FB. ‘Di pwede si Calilung,” Roque said.
He also contended that the video should not be admitted as evidence if it was not properly authenticated.
The video is part of Article IV of the impeachment complaint against Duterte, which accuses her of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During the impeachment trial, Calilung testified only on the authenticity of the digital recording. The House prosecution said separate witnesses would testify on the substance of Duterte’s alleged statements.
