Duterte's legal team claims NBI director shows political bias in probe

MANILA — The legal camp of Vice President Sara Duterte mounted a fresh attack on the impartiality of National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday, characterizing him as "evidently politically biased" in his handling of the case.

Attorney Paul Lawrence Lim, representing the vice president, went further in his criticism, describing Matibag as someone "heavily burdened with conflict of interest" amid the ongoing investigation into accusations leveled at Duterte.

The allegations emerged as tensions escalated between the Office of the Vice President and other government agencies investigating various matters. Duterte's counsel contended that Matibag's conduct in the probe had been compromised by personal or political motivations rather than adherence to impartial investigative standards.

The dispute underscores the deepening friction surrounding the vice president's office and various government investigations. Duterte's team has consistently questioned the neutrality of officials involved in probing her administration, citing what they characterize as selective enforcement and political targeting.

The NBI, as the primary investigative agency tasked with handling cases involving government officials, has not yet responded to the latest accusations from Duterte's legal representatives regarding Director Matibag's conduct.