VP Team Told: Prove 'Oplan Romanov' Ops

The Philippine Presidential Palace has strongly challenged the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to present evidence proving the existence of an alleged plot dubbed “Oplan Romanov.” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro stated that the burden of proof lies with the camp that raised the allegation, especially after it was cited during impeachment proceedings. Ms. Castro pointed out that the Executive branch cannot investigate any claims without supporting information from those making the accusations. She added that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had previously sent a letter to Vice President Duterte seeking details about alleged threats against her and her family, but allegedly received no response. “It is no one’s fault if there is no evidence of the existence of the so-called Oplan Romanov, because the Vice-President herself, who made the claim, has not proven it,” Ms. Castro said in Filipino. During the impeachment trial, the defense for Vice President Duterte argued that her remarks were made not in her capacity as Vice President but as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister who believed her family faced real threats under “Operation Romanov.” However, Ms. Castro rejected this argument, stating that public office does not exempt anyone from accountability. “A threat is a threat, no matter who you are,” she said, adding that threatening the President cannot be justified by one’s personal circumstances. The alleged “Oplan Romanov” has become a point of contention in the impeachment trial after the defense cited it to explain Vice President Duterte’s remarks last year that she had instructed someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Maria Louise Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez should she herself be killed. Prosecutors argue these statements constituted grave threats, a claim the defense disputes. Separately, the House prosecution defended the testimony of NBI senior agent John Mark Sta. Ana Calilung, stating he properly authenticated a video recording presented during the trial. San Juan Rep. and House prosecutor Ysabel Maria J. Zamora said Mr. Calilung’s testimony was intended to establish the authenticity of the video before it could be formally presented before the impeachment court. Furthermore, House prosecutor Benjamin S. Tolosa, Jr. said that the reported visit of Vice President Duterte’s Chief of Staff Zuleika T. Lopez to the Senate would not affect the case, adding that it still intends to present her as one of its witnesses in the impeachment trial. The prosecution has already asked the impeachment court to subpoena Ms. Lopez as a witness, and its plans to present her remain unchanged. On Thursday, a progressive alliance urged the Senate impeachment court to allow only senator-judges who fully participated in Vice President Duterte’s trial to vote on the verdict. The group expressed concern that any move allowing absent senators to vote would undermine the fairness and credibility of the proceedings. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan raised concerns over the possibility that Senators Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr., Rodante D. Marcoleta, and Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa could still vote on the verdict despite not fully participating in the trial. A conviction would still require at least 16 votes from senator-judges. Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero has consistently maintained that conviction would require at least two-thirds, or 16 votes, of the senator-judges. Senator Estrada is detained on non-bailable plunder charges linked to an alleged flood control anomaly, while Senator Marcoleta remains under medical observation at the Philippine National Police General Hospital pending his transfer to jail after his arrest on a separate non-bailable plunder charge. Senator dela Rosa, meanwhile, remains at large following an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.