Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon on Sunday expressed optimism that the Senate will conduct a fair and exhaustive impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, following the lower chamber’s historic vote to impeach her for a second time.
Speaking at a media forum over the weekend, Ridon underscored his trust in the integrity of the upper chamber as it prepares to resolve the gravest political crisis facing the administration.
“Sa tingin ko yung mga senator-judges naman natin at the time of trial, they will look at it with open eyes, will look at the evidence both from the prosecution and the defense, and decide based on the evidence and based on their conscience,” Ridon said.
The statement comes after the House of Representatives voted 257–318 on May 11 to approve the articles of impeachment against Duterte.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has since informed House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III that the Senate Impeachment Court is slated to convene this Monday, provided no procedural hurdles arise.
Ridon viewed Cayetano’s commitment to convene the court as a positive indicator for the prosecution panel.
“If it is something that is dead on arrival, it would have been a different pronouncement by the current Senate president,” Ridon noted. “But we will hold on. We have great faith in [Cayetano’s] pronouncement na talagang mag-convene ang Senate Impeachment Court… Panghahawakan namin ang ganitong commitment.”
As part of the 11-member House prosecution panel, Ridon revealed that responsibilities have already been divided systematically among the lawmakers to tackle the multi-faceted allegations against the Vice President.
“Labing-isa ang mga prosecutors. I think all of us may at least two grounds na i-represent at bahagi,” Ridon explained. “Talagang may kanya-kanyang bahagi kung saan talagang pina-present ang iba’t ibang aspeto ng kaso.”
Ridon disclosed that his specific assignment will center on the highly contentious issues of unexplained wealth and the alleged mismanagement of government resources.
The trial will heavily focus on the first two articles of impeachment. Article I details the alleged systematic misuse and irregular liquidation of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds across the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Meanwhile, Article II highlights massive discrepancies in Duterte’s SALN, active business interests, and billions of pesos in suspicious transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council involving the Vice President and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio.