Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon stressed that the mere signing of disbursement papers for confidential funds cannot be dismissed as a “ministerial act,” arguing that such actions carry accountability and cannot shield Vice President Sara Duterte in her ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Speaking during the House Committee on Justice’s deliberations on Tuesday, March 3, Ridon underscored that officials have faced criminal liability for similar acts.
“People actually go to jail for basically just signing disbursement documents,” he told the panel chaired by Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro.
The committee is examining allegations that Duterte’s office amassed and misused ₱500 million in confidential funds for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Ridon pointed out that findings from the Commission on Audit (COA), including Audit Observation Memoranda (AOMs) and Notices of Disallowance (NDs), serve as crucial evidence in the impeachment case.
“The documents contained in AOMs and NDs are also the body of evidence which constitutes the basis for the proceedings that we have today,” he said.
His remarks countered Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay, who argued that signing disbursement documents was ministerial and that COA findings could be appealed.
Ridon rejected this defense, noting: “Impeachment proceedings operate separately and independently of administrative proceedings of the COA. So the statement that AOMs and even NDs are essentially appealable cannot prevent impeachment proceedings to occur and proceed as it should.”
Ridon also questioned the reported use of confidential funds for activities outside their legal scope, citing expenditures on team-building and other items not covered by the definition of confidential spending.
He raised particular concern over the rental of “safe houses,” pointing to congressional records showing ₱16 million spent, including ₱500,000 in just 11 days — equivalent to about ₱1.36 million per month.
“And the question therefore: Saan po iyong mga safe houses na ito?” he asked.
He added that such amounts suggest properties in exclusive enclaves.
“If we are talking about ₱1.3 million a month in rental of property, these safe houses should be in Forbes Park. These safe houses should be in Dasmariñas Village. These safe houses should be in the most expensive condominiums in Bonifacio Global City,” Ridon said.
“‘Pag wala ho ’yun doon mga kaibigan, parang hindi ho tama rin ’yung sinasabing paggamit ng confidential funds.”