House prosec Ridon brings maleta with mangoes, wigs: Not all luggage contains cash

HOUSE impeachment prosecution panel member and Bicol Saro Partyist Rep. Terry Ridon brought a suitcase containing mangoes and wigs to a press conference Saturday using the props to mock cash-filled luggage claims and refocus attention on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Ridon said the luggage display was a reminder that not every maleta contains money.

“Meron po tayong dalang maleta ngayong araw po na ito,” Ridon said.

“Hindi po lahat ng maleta may pera, mga kaibigan,” he added.

Then came the punchline.

“Yung iba po, may manga at peluka,” Ridon said.

Ridon made the remark after senators, during a hearing led by former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano last Thursday, raised allegations that cash had been delivered in suitcases.

Instead of letting the “maleta” narrative dominate, Ridon used actual luggage to turn the point around: spectacle is not evidence.

He said the House and the House Prosecution Panel will not be distracted by alleged falsehoods and fabricated testimony.

“The House and the House Prosecution Panel will not be deterred,” Ridon said.

“Hindi po kami magpapapigil sa mga kasinungalingan at mga fabricated testimonies po ng kung sino man,” he added.

Ridon said the impeachment trial will proceed, and the House will present its evidence against Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.

“Tuloy po ang impeachment trial, ilalatag po ng Kamara, ilalatag po ng House Prosecution Panel,” Ridon said.

He said the prosecution will present evidence, including reports and video documentation.

“Yung AMLC reports, yung NBI reports, yung video documentation ng pagbabanta laban sa Pangulo,” Ridon said.

Ridon said the public should not be pulled away from the central issue.

“So bumalik po tayo sa usapin,” Ridon said.

With mangoes and wigs in the suitcases, Ridon’s message was direct: maleta politics may draw laughs, but the impeachment trial remains about evidence, accountability, and the case against VP Duterte.