Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon dismissed claims that Vice President Sara Duterte was denied due process in the Commission on Audit’s (COA) disallowance of ₱73 million in confidential funds.
Ridon stressed that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had ample opportunity to explain the expenditure but failed to provide sufficient documentation.
“Hindi totoo na walang due process na nangyari. May pagkakataon silang sumagot at hindi naman ito nangyari ng isang beses lamang,” Ridon said.
“Dumaan iyan sa audit observation memo at notice of disallowance. Kaya malinaw na may proseso bago sila umabot sa puntong ito.”
The controversy stems from the ₱125 million in confidential funds spent by the OVP in just 11 days in December 2022. COA later issued a Notice of Disallowance (ND) for ₱73.2 million, ordering the return of the amount to the National Treasury.
Contrary to insinuations that the OVP was “railroaded,” Ridon emphasized that the issue is about evidence, not procedural fairness.
“As stated in the decision itself, they were given time to respond. Kaya mahirap sabihin ngayon na they were deprived of due process because the opportunity to answer was already there,” he added.
He explained that the real problem lies in the OVP’s inability to substantiate the rapid spending with valid reports and receipts.
“Ang problema, hindi nila naipakita nang sapat ang mga report at supporting documents para maipaliwanag ang paggamit ng confidential funds,” Ridon said.
As the audit process nears finality, Ridon warned that accountability may shift from administrative compliance to legal liability.
“Kapag may final finding na, may proseso na nasunod, at may personal na pananagutan na itinakda, hindi na ito simpleng audit issue—ito ay usapin na ng pananagutan sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan,” he concluded.
The OVP has yet to issue a new statement following Ridon’s remarks, though Vice President Duterte has previously described the scrutiny of her funds as “political harassment.”