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Advocates Philippines
Face Probe, Ridon Tells VP Sara
Photo credit: Terry Ridon
A House leader is calling on Sara Duterte to personally face the ongoing impeachment proceedings and answer the allegations against her head-on, instead of relying on legal technicalities.
On Sunday, Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, urged the Vice President to show up before the House Committee on Justice, where the complaints are currently being tackled.
Ridon said the proceedings now give Duterte the exact opportunity she has been asking for—to be heard and defend herself.
“Ito na ang pagkakataon ng Pangalawang Pangulo upang patunayan ang kanyang sinasabing inosente siya. Narito na ang tamang forum upang marinig ang kanyang panig at maharap niya nang direkta ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya,” Ridon said.
He clarified that what is happening in the House is not yet a full trial, but a preliminary step to determine whether there is enough basis to move the case forward.
“Hindi pa ito paglilitis. Preliminary investigation pa lamang ito ng Kamara upang alamin kung may sapat na basehan ang mga reklamong inihain laban sa kanya. Ang aktwal na trial ay sa Senado pa lamang mangyayari,” he explained.
The lawmaker added that if Duterte has answers to the allegations—ranging from the use of confidential funds to questions on wealth and supposed threats—she should present them before the committee.
“Kung may sagot siya sa mga alegasyon, ilahad niya. Kung may depensa siya, ipakita niya. Kung may paliwanag siya sa confidential funds, SALN, tax records, at financial documents, sabihin niya sa taumbayan,” Ridon said.
He also took aim at what he described as the Vice President’s reliance on procedural challenges rather than directly addressing the accusations.
“Tama na ang pagtatago sa likod ng mga teknikalidad at sunod-sunod na petisyon upang pigilan ang proseso. Ang tunay na tanong dito ay simple lamang: masasagot ba niya ang mga alegasyon o hindi?” he said.
Ridon pointed out that Duterte had previously asked for due process, saying that the House is now providing that platform.
“Siya mismo ang humiling noon ng pagkakataong marinig at mabigyan ng due process. Ibinibigay na iyon ngayon ng Kamara. Walang dahilan upang hindi siya humarap,” he added.
He emphasized that the committee is acting within its constitutional mandate and following proper procedures under the law.
“Ginagawa lamang ng Kamara ang mandato nito sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon—ang siyasatin kung may sapat na basehan ang impeachment complaints at kung dapat ba itong umusad sa Senado,” Ridon said.
Despite the Vice President’s stance, Ridon said the proceedings will move forward regardless of her participation.
“Magpapatuloy ang proseso. Ngunit habang patuloy siyang umiiwas sa pagharap at pagsagot sa mga alegasyon, lalo lamang lumalakas ang impresyon na ang kanyang depensa ay nakasalalay sa delay at teknikalidad—hindi sa ebidensya,” he said.
On Sunday, Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, urged the Vice President to show up before the House Committee on Justice, where the complaints are currently being tackled.
Ridon said the proceedings now give Duterte the exact opportunity she has been asking for—to be heard and defend herself.
“Ito na ang pagkakataon ng Pangalawang Pangulo upang patunayan ang kanyang sinasabing inosente siya. Narito na ang tamang forum upang marinig ang kanyang panig at maharap niya nang direkta ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya,” Ridon said.
He clarified that what is happening in the House is not yet a full trial, but a preliminary step to determine whether there is enough basis to move the case forward.
“Hindi pa ito paglilitis. Preliminary investigation pa lamang ito ng Kamara upang alamin kung may sapat na basehan ang mga reklamong inihain laban sa kanya. Ang aktwal na trial ay sa Senado pa lamang mangyayari,” he explained.
The lawmaker added that if Duterte has answers to the allegations—ranging from the use of confidential funds to questions on wealth and supposed threats—she should present them before the committee.
“Kung may sagot siya sa mga alegasyon, ilahad niya. Kung may depensa siya, ipakita niya. Kung may paliwanag siya sa confidential funds, SALN, tax records, at financial documents, sabihin niya sa taumbayan,” Ridon said.
He also took aim at what he described as the Vice President’s reliance on procedural challenges rather than directly addressing the accusations.
“Tama na ang pagtatago sa likod ng mga teknikalidad at sunod-sunod na petisyon upang pigilan ang proseso. Ang tunay na tanong dito ay simple lamang: masasagot ba niya ang mga alegasyon o hindi?” he said.
Ridon pointed out that Duterte had previously asked for due process, saying that the House is now providing that platform.
“Siya mismo ang humiling noon ng pagkakataong marinig at mabigyan ng due process. Ibinibigay na iyon ngayon ng Kamara. Walang dahilan upang hindi siya humarap,” he added.
He emphasized that the committee is acting within its constitutional mandate and following proper procedures under the law.
“Ginagawa lamang ng Kamara ang mandato nito sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon—ang siyasatin kung may sapat na basehan ang impeachment complaints at kung dapat ba itong umusad sa Senado,” Ridon said.
Despite the Vice President’s stance, Ridon said the proceedings will move forward regardless of her participation.
“Magpapatuloy ang proseso. Ngunit habang patuloy siyang umiiwas sa pagharap at pagsagot sa mga alegasyon, lalo lamang lumalakas ang impresyon na ang kanyang depensa ay nakasalalay sa delay at teknikalidad—hindi sa ebidensya,” he said.
Apr 12, 2026
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