Sara Duterte 'Kill Threat' Video Authentic, Says Diokno

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. House prosecutor Chel Diokno has echoed his earlier remarks that the authenticity of a video showing Vice President Sara Duterte saying she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed, should be considered with common sense and the technical rules of evidence.

Diokno made his comments in a statement released yesterday, where he also addressed the defense's questioning of National Bureau of Investigation Special Agent John Mark Calilung, who testified on the authentication of the videos presented under Article IV of the impeachment complaint.

Calilung admitted under cross-examination that he had no direct knowledge of hitmen being hired, yet Diokno still maintains that the authenticity of the video should be judged by all, not just the senators.

Diokno noted that in impeachment cases, it's not only senators who judge, and that past impeachment cases have shown that the public can form their own views based on the testimony presented.

The treatment of original and duplicate documents has also evolved under modern rules of evidence, Diokno explained. Courts no longer automatically reject duplicates when a witness can properly identify them as accurate copies.

'Well, first of all, the issue about the original and the copy — rules on evidence have changed. They used to be strict. Let's say it's a Xerox copy, as we call it; that's not readily accepted by court,' Diokno said.

Now, he pointed out, courts no longer automatically reject duplicates when a witness can properly identify them as accurate copies. 'But now they have changed that rule. That's more in line with the international practice, even in America, in various jurisdictions,' Diokno said.

Diokno also believes that social media can help people determine what's fake and what's not, citing his personal experience with social media.

'And we think that what Agent Calilung said was very clear, and through our experiences in social media, we know what's fake and what's not,' he added.

The Senate impeachment court has begun hearing evidence on the Article IV allegation, which involved Duterte's alleged threats. Diokno's comments come as a response to the ongoing hearing.

'What's good about impeachment is that we can all watch it. It doesn't go through the narration of a broadcaster or whoever. We ourselves see it. In my view, it's very clear, very accessible what Agent Calilung said,' Diokno pointed out.

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues amidst the controversy surrounding the 'kill threat' video.

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Context:

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been ongoing, with various allegations and counter-allegations being presented. The video in question has sparked a lot of debate and scrutiny, with Diokno's comments adding to the ongoing discussion.

A statement from the House prosecutor's office has been released, which includes Diokno's comments on the video's authenticity.

“That's part of the trial, and the other side is questioned during the cross-examination. But what's needed is for us not to lose our common sense and our own knowledge about that issue,' Diokno said.”

— House prosecutor Chel Diokno

Chel Diokno is a Filipino lawyer and politician who has been serving as House prosecutor in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He is known for his strong opinions and advocacy for justice.

- National Bureau of Investigation Special Agent John Mark Calilung

John Mark Calilung is a Filipino law enforcement officer who has been testifying on the authentication of the videos presented under Article IV of the impeachment complaint. He admitted under cross-examination that he had no direct knowledge of hitmen being hired.

- Vice President Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte is a Filipino politician who is serving as Vice President of the Philippines. She has been at the center of the ongoing impeachment trial, with allegations of corruption and abuse of power being presented against her.

- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the current President of the Philippines. He has been a subject of controversy in the ongoing impeachment trial, with allegations of corruption and abuse of power being presented against him.

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues to be a major topic of discussion in the Philippines.