‘Hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung magagawa’: Ridon expresses doubt over defense’s proposed witnesses
MANILA — House prosecutor Representative Terry Ridon commented on Friday on the witnesses that the vice president’s defense team proposed to present in the impeachment trial, saying he does not know how they could help defend Sara Duterte.
Information against the vice president could surface from those affiliated with companies allegedly linked to Duterte, according to Ridon.
“Ang totoo, hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung magagawa po ng mga ‘yun para depensahan ‘yung pangalawang pangulo kasi kahit isalang mo halimbawa ‘yung corporate secretary, ang papatunayan lang ho talaga, kasali ‘yung pangalawang pangulo doon po sa mga kumpanya po na pinag-usapan. Ang importante ho kasi ipakita nila doon na hindi siya kasali,” Ridon said.
“Pagkapinakita po doon na paano nangyari na naging bahagi po siya ng mga kumpanya na ‘yun, edi lalong madidiin po ‘yung pangalawang pangulo,” Ridon told reporters.
Ridon also questioned the need to present bank executives, saying the amounts in bank accounts will not change.
“Kahit sino man ‘yung tagabangkong isalang nila, whether ‘yung abogado o ‘yung taga-branch, ‘di naman nagbabago ‘yung laman ho ng bangko,” Ridon added.
Ridon also addressed the Senate court reinstating the sub judice rule on all articles of impeachment.
Ridon said they have no interest in talking to the public about the articles withdrawn, emphasizing they are focused solely on unexplained wealth.
“Inatras lang naman po nila ‘yung pagre-relax ng sub judice rule doon sa tatlo pong mga articles of impeachment. Sa totoo lang, wala naman naman kaming interes na pag-usapan po sa publiko ito pong mga inatras na mga artikulo,” Ridon told the media.
“For grave threats, nakasalang naman na po ‘yun doon sa Quezon City RTC. ‘Yun pong for confidential funds misuse, ‘yung COA, tsaka ‘yun pong ng Office of the Ombudsman, mayroon na ho silang ginagawa,” Ridon added.
Ridon spoke at the PANANAGUTAN FORUM: Kwentuhang Impeachment, as part of the prosecution panel’s efforts to speak with various sectors on the impeachment trial.
Ridon said they hope for more talks in the future, particularly in schools.
“Ito po ‘yung unang pagkakataon na mayroon pong talastasan at pakikipag-unayan sa mga maralitang tagalungsod para talakayin po ‘yung paglilitis ng atin pong pangalawang pangulo at ano po ‘yung tunguhin at ano ‘yung kahalagahan nito sa buhay po ng atin pong maralitang tagalungsod at atin pong mga komunidad,” Ridon said.
Carmen Collado of the Alyansa ng mga Samahan sa Diliman said she hopes the trial would not stretch on for long, citing the need for accountability.
“Kung itong impeachment na ‘to ang magtutulak ng totoong pagbabago, sana huwag nang patagalin… Marami na silang ninakaw,” Collado said.
The possibility of the public becoming desensitized by a lengthy trial is not a concern for Ridon, as he expressed hopes of a decision within the month.
“Mabilis na lang naman po ito. Tatlong linggo na lang ho. At the earliest na pinag-uusapan, apat na linggo at the latest. Hopefully, makapagpasya na po ‘yung Senate impeachment court by the end of November or the first week of December,” Ridon said.