HOUSE Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry L. Ridon over the weekend challenged Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte to substantiate his allegation that lawmakers were being threatened with district defunding to force support for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
With the impeachment proceedings expected to move to the plenary following the action of the House Committee on Justice, Ridon said he expects Paolo Duterte to personally defend the vice president on the floor.
“Ang in-expect namin this week ipagtatanggol ho niya ‘yung kapatid niya sa plenary proceedings,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in
Quezon City.
“Ang in-expect namin ipagtanggol niya ang kapatid niya sa plenary proceedings. Hindi naman niya ginawa ‘yan [in the past],” Ridon said.
Ridon said the claim should be backed by proof and raised in the proper forum, instead of being aired publicly without supporting evidence.
“Maganda patunayan ni Cong. Duterte ‘yung claims na sinasabi niya kasi I think for the last couple of months, wala naman ho siyang ginawa kundi maglabas ng mga pahayag sa kanya pong Facebook account,” Ridon pointed out.
He also questioned the Davao lawmaker’s absence from official proceedings, saying the venue for raising such concerns is within the halls of Congress.
“Pangalawa, hindi rin ho namin siya nakikita sa mga plenary proceedings or committee meetings,” Ridon said.
