NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Ridon Says 88% Of Filipinos Want VP Sara To Face Impeachment Trial
Photo credit: Sara Duterte
House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon on Friday pointed to a new survey result showing that a strong majority of Filipinos want Vice President Sara Duterte to answer allegations against her in a formal impeachment trial—not from the sidelines.
Citing the latest poll by Tangere, Ridon said 88 percent of respondents believe Duterte should address the accusations in a Senate impeachment proceeding.
“For me, that 88 percent is simple—the public wants answers, not noise,” Ridon said. “If the accusations are wrong, then face them and respond in the proper forum.”
Ridon said the survey echoes issues already raised during House hearings, particularly questions surrounding declared wealth and large-scale financial transactions.
He cited official records, including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), which reportedly showed no declared cash or bank deposits from 2019 to 2024. At the same time, the Anti-Money Laundering Council reported ₱6.77 billion in covered and suspicious transactions allegedly linked to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
“These are not minor issues,” Ridon said. “They involve declared wealth, money flows, and official records. It’s not surprising that nearly nine out of ten Filipinos are looking for clear answers.”
He stressed that the concern is not just the existence of transactions, but their scale and origin.
“When you’re talking about billions, there has to be a clear explanation of where the money came from and how it was generated,” he said.
Ridon added that even if the funds merely moved through accounts, key questions remain unanswered.
“Even if the money just circulated, the question doesn’t go away—where did those billions come from in the first place?” he said.
According to Ridon, the public is not asking for technical explanations but straightforward answers to apparent gaps between declared wealth and actual financial activity.
“This isn’t complicated. There are large transactions, and they need to be explained,” he said.
He also noted that the House process is nearing its conclusion, with the House Committee on Justice set to hold what could be its final clarificatory hearing on April 29.
“We hope to see the Vice President there,” Ridon said. “That’s where courage is shown—facing the evidence, not staying on the sidelines.”
For Ridon, the survey is ultimately about accountability, not spectacle.
“When 88 percent of the public is calling for answers in a formal proceeding, it’s no longer something that can be avoided,” he said.
He added that expectations are clear.
“Face the evidence. Answer the questions. Clarify the records,” Ridon said. “That’s what the public is asking.”
He warned that if the gap between declared income, reported wealth, and actual money movement remains unexplained, the issue could go beyond accounting.
“That’s no longer just a technical matter—it becomes a question of accountability and possible betrayal of public trust,” he said.
Citing the latest poll by Tangere, Ridon said 88 percent of respondents believe Duterte should address the accusations in a Senate impeachment proceeding.
“For me, that 88 percent is simple—the public wants answers, not noise,” Ridon said. “If the accusations are wrong, then face them and respond in the proper forum.”
Ridon said the survey echoes issues already raised during House hearings, particularly questions surrounding declared wealth and large-scale financial transactions.
He cited official records, including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), which reportedly showed no declared cash or bank deposits from 2019 to 2024. At the same time, the Anti-Money Laundering Council reported ₱6.77 billion in covered and suspicious transactions allegedly linked to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
“These are not minor issues,” Ridon said. “They involve declared wealth, money flows, and official records. It’s not surprising that nearly nine out of ten Filipinos are looking for clear answers.”
He stressed that the concern is not just the existence of transactions, but their scale and origin.
“When you’re talking about billions, there has to be a clear explanation of where the money came from and how it was generated,” he said.
Ridon added that even if the funds merely moved through accounts, key questions remain unanswered.
“Even if the money just circulated, the question doesn’t go away—where did those billions come from in the first place?” he said.
According to Ridon, the public is not asking for technical explanations but straightforward answers to apparent gaps between declared wealth and actual financial activity.
“This isn’t complicated. There are large transactions, and they need to be explained,” he said.
He also noted that the House process is nearing its conclusion, with the House Committee on Justice set to hold what could be its final clarificatory hearing on April 29.
“We hope to see the Vice President there,” Ridon said. “That’s where courage is shown—facing the evidence, not staying on the sidelines.”
For Ridon, the survey is ultimately about accountability, not spectacle.
“When 88 percent of the public is calling for answers in a formal proceeding, it’s no longer something that can be avoided,” he said.
He added that expectations are clear.
“Face the evidence. Answer the questions. Clarify the records,” Ridon said. “That’s what the public is asking.”
He warned that if the gap between declared income, reported wealth, and actual money movement remains unexplained, the issue could go beyond accounting.
“That’s no longer just a technical matter—it becomes a question of accountability and possible betrayal of public trust,” he said.
Apr 25, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
