HOUSE prosecutor Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list on Wednesday hit back at Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte for criticizing the withdrawal of three impeachment charges against his sister, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, saying the decision was approved by the Senate impeachment court.
“Walang dahilan para mag-iyak-iyak, wala hong dahilan para mag-nyaw-nyaw ’yung pong depensa,” Ridon said at a press briefing.
“Dahil sa dulo naman ho, hindi naman ho prosecution ’yung pong nagpasya dito po sa bagay na ito, kundi po ’yung Senate impeachment court,” he added.
Ridon was responding to Paolo Duterte’s social media post accusing prosecutors of wasting public funds and damaging reputations by withdrawing three of the four impeachment articles after 38 days of trial.
“The Filipino people deserve accountability, not political theatrics,” Paolo Duterte said, ending his statement with “Mahiya naman kayo.”
Ridon initially brushed aside the criticism.
“Sa haba nung sinabi niya, parang nakatulog ako eh,” he quipped.
He also took a swipe at Paolo Duterte over a grave threats charge involving the Davao City lawmaker.
“Pero una sa lahat, kung bugbugan ho ’yung usapan, hindi ho kami may grave threats charge dito sa Davao City. Siya po. Hindi ho ba?” Ridon said.
Ridon maintained that the prosecution had valid reasons for withdrawing three articles and focusing on the remaining charge of alleged unexplained wealth.
“Wala pong nagbabawal dito po sa pag-atras ng mga artikulo hangga’t meron pong nag-iisang artikulong nagtutuloy,” he said.
He explained that the withdrawal of the confidential funds and grave threats articles was with prejudice, meaning they could no longer be revived in the same impeachment proceedings.
However, he stressed that Duterte could still face criminal proceedings outside the impeachment court.
“So ibig sabihin, she will be made accountable for these things outside of the impeachment court, outside of the entirety of impeachment proceedings, up until 2028,” Ridon said.
He also rejected claims that the defense was denied the opportunity to present evidence, saying prosecutors had offered to let it do so during the trial.
“They rejected it flatly from the very beginning,” he said.
The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday approved the withdrawal of Article I on alleged misuse of confidential funds, Article III on bribery and Article IV on grave threats and related allegations.
Only Article II, involving alleged unexplained wealth, inaccurate asset declarations and prohibited business interests, remains for decision.
Ridon said the prosecution stood by its decision and would leave the outcome of the remaining charge to the senator-judges.
“Pero sa dulo-dulo naman ho, ito po ay desisyon ng korte at pinaninindigan po namin ’yun pong aming desisyon na iatras ang tatlo at magtuloy sa isa,” he said.
“At papabayaan ho namin ’yung korte na magpasya whether to convict o to acquit the Vice President on a singular charge of unexplained wealth,” Ridon added.
metrosundaily
