Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon – Photo courtesy of Terry Ridon/Facebook
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon expressed doubts over Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement that she was unaware of her allies filing a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the impeachment proceedings.
“Una nagsabi ho yung Pangalawang Pangulo na wala daw ho siyang kinalaman doon. Ipinaubaya na daw niya sa legal team ito pong bagay na ito,” Ridon said.
He noted that one of the petitioners attended the Parada Dabawenyo in Davao City last Saturday, highlighting their close association with Duterte.
The lawmaker said the petitioners, including several lawyers, lack legal standing to question the impeachment and expected the Supreme Court to dismiss the case.
“Tingin ko ibabasura ito ng Korte Suprema dahil wala pong legal na personalidad ito pong mga abugado at alyado ng Pangalawang Pangulo na magsampa po ng kasong ito kasi isa ho sa major na batayan para tumakbo ang mga kasong ganito kailangan ho may legal standing,” the lawmaker said.
He added that taxpayer suits are limited to public fund disbursements, while the petition concerns impeachment, which falls outside that scope.
Ridon stressed that Duterte is the only person who could properly file the petition and that the claims raised lack a legal basis.
He noted that under the Constitution and House rules, Congress has the authority to conduct impeachment hearings, including issuing subpoenas to people and documents relevant to the investigation.
