Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon asserted on Friday that Vice President Sara Duterte cannot simultaneously challenge the legitimacy of the impeachment process before the Supreme Court (SC) while seeking to participate in a Senate trial.
Ridon characterized the Vice President’s current legal strategy as contradictory, demanding that her camp clarify whether they recognize the authority of the proceedings.
Ridon argued that it is legally inconsistent to question the validity of a process while actively engaging with it.
“Hindi puwedeng sabay—kinukwestyon ninyo ang proseso sa Korte Suprema, pero gusto ninyong makilahok sa parehong prosesong iyon. Either you recognize the process, or you don’t. You can’t do both.”
(“It cannot be both—you are questioning the process in the Supreme Court, but you want to participate in that same process. Either you recognize the process, or you don’t. You can’t do both.”)
The lawmaker pointed out that since Duterte’s SC petition identifies the Senate as a respondent, her legal team must withdraw the lawsuit if they intend to join the trial in good faith. Failure to do so, he noted, would be a tacit admission of the process’s validity.
“Kung talagang naniniwala silang walang bisa ang proseso, dapat bawiin nila ang kanilang petisyon bago sila lumahok sa paglilitis. Kung hindi, malinaw na kinikilala rin nila ang bisa ng prosesong kanilang kinukwestyon.”
(“If they truly believe the process is invalid, they should withdraw their petition before participating in the trial. Otherwise, it is clear that they also recognize the validity of the process they are questioning.”)
Ridon confirmed that the House Committee on Justice has already established probable cause, rendering the case “ready for trial.”
He took a swipe at the Vice President for criticizing constitutional institutions while avoiding the formal hearings held by the committee.
“Hindi maganda na ang inaatake ninyo ay ang mismong institusyon na inatasan ng Konstitusyon na alamin ang pananagutan, samantalang umiiwas naman kayo sa proseso. Tigilan na ang palusot—humarap at sumagot sa ebidensya.”
(“It is not right that you are attacking the very institution mandated by the Constitution to determine accountability, while you are avoiding the process. Stop the excuses—show up and answer the evidence.”)
Despite the Vice President’s attempts to dismiss the allegations, Ridon maintained that the evidence from the Commission on Audit (COA), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) remains substantial. He observed that the defense has shifted toward attacking the source of the evidence rather than refuting its contents.
Ridon also criticized Duterte’s absence from previous House hearings, stressing that official accountability must be established through legal channels rather than media appearances.
“Accountability is not resolved through press conferences. It is resolved in a trial. Kung handa sila, humarap sila. Kung hindi, huwag nilang sirain ang proseso habang ginagamit nila ito.”
(“Accountability is not resolved through press conferences. It is resolved in a trial. If they are ready, they should show up. If not, they should not destroy the process while using it.”)
The House Committee on Justice is expected to submit its final report to the plenary next week, which is anticipated to recommend the formal filing of Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President in the Senate.