Dennis Gasgonia

Ridon: House can impeach Sara Duterte ‘on basis of evidence’

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Bicol Saro Party Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday dismissed as “diversionary” the allegations that lawmakers are being pressured or enticed with projects to back the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.The House Committee on Public Accounts chairman stressed that such claims sidestep the real issue: the evidence on record. Ridon, a member of the House Committee on Justice, labelled as recycled the narrative of “district defunding” and political arm-twisting. The congressman said it is meant to distract public attention from the documentary records, sworn testimonies, and institutional submissions already before the House.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/30/senate-may-hold-vp-sara-impeachment-trial-during-break-1243">Senate may hold VP Sara impeachment trial during break</a></div> “Hindi kailangan na kahit anong intriga. Hindi ho kailangan na kahit anong sinasabi nilang dagdag proyekto para makumbinsi ang mga tao. On the basis of evidence, meron talagang mali dito sa naging gawi ng Pangalawang Pangulo,” Ridon said in a statement. “So my answer to that is: intriga lang ‘yan, hindi ‘yan totoo. We can impeach on the basis of evidence, nothing more.” He said the evidence presented in the House impeachment proceedings is clear enough for ordinary Filipinos to understand without any need for political pressure. “Katulad ho ng binanggit ko, sa totoo lang, hindi naman na ho kailangan ng pampatalino eh,” Ridon said. “Kasi kahit po ‘yung ordinaryong tao maiintindihan nila. Paano nga ho talaga nila mapapaliwanag na may P4.4 bilyon na pumasok sa accounts ng mag-asawang Duterte Carpio over 20 years?” Ridon pointed to one year in particular to show the gap between the Vice President’s declared wealth and the bank transactions discussed in the proceedings.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/29/vp-duterte-s-designated-survivor-remark-raised-in-house-hearing-1510">Another threat? VP Duterte’s ‘designated survivor’ remark raised in House hearing </a></div> “Pag-usapan na lang ho natin 2009, vice president lang yung po yung Pangalawang Pangulo po ng taon na yun,” Ridon said. “Papaano pong nangyari with a SALN of P18 million in 2009, mayroon pong pumasok, lumabas sa kanila pong bank accounts na P700 million?” Ridon added. The House Committee on Justice earlier found probable cause in the impeachment complaints against Duterte, with the proceedings heavily focused on alleged confidential fund irregularities, SALN declarations and Anti-Money Laundering Council records involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. Ridon also challenged Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte to prove his allegation that House members were being threatened with defunding if they refused to vote for impeachment. He stressed that the votes needed to impeach Duterte will come from the strength of the evidence, not from pressure or incentives. “And sa totoo lang, and like what is previously stated kanina, the votes will come,” Ridon said.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/29/lawmakers-blast-duterte-camp-complaint-over-disclosure-of-bank-records-1235">‘We will not bow down’: Lawmakers blast Duterte camp complaint over disclosure of bank records</a></div> “Particularly yun pong minimum required votes to impeach the VP, I don’t think there’s any coercion needed. I don’t think there’s any reward needed to impeach the VP.” Ridon again cited the AMLC records and the confidential funds issue as evidence he believes is strong enough to move the case forward. “Kasi nga the evidence is clear. The evidence on AMLC is clear, the evidence on confidential funds is clear,” Ridon said. “So it is a challenge to him to show the evidence that there is coercion being undertaken against a member of Congress. Kasi I don’t think that is actually based on truth,” Ridon added. Asked whether VP Duterte can be compelled to attend every Senate impeachment hearing if the case reaches trial, Ridon said senators may try to compel her appearance but that attendance will ultimately remain her decision. “Nagbanggit na si Senator [Ping] Lacson diyan,” Ridon said. “I think yung pong pagkakabanggit niya, they will compel her but ultimately it is still her choice. I think that is how he actually described it,” Ridon added. <div>  </div>

Bicol Saro Party Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday dismissed as “diversionary” the allegations that lawmakers are being pressured or enticed with projects to back the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bicol Saro Party Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday dismissed as “diversionary” the allegations that lawmakers are being pressured or enticed with projects to back the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.