The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its third day as her defense team argued that the detention of her chief-of-staff, Zuleika Lopez, prompted her alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

During cross-examination, legal counsel Carlo Joaquin Narvasa highlighted systematic oppression by the House of Representatives, citing Lopez's contempt citation and detention despite faithful cooperation with investigations.

The Senate impeachment court is addressing Article IV, which centers on alleged threats and an assassination plot against Marcos, his wife, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.Lopez's detention followed her citation in contempt for supposed interference in a probe into confidential funds.Presiding officer Francis Escudero reminded senators to avoid legal conclusions by counsel.The defense emphasized that the focus is not on excusing threats but on the context of institutionalized pressure against Duterte's team.