House Committee on Public Accounts Chair and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon has challenged Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte to substantiate his allegation that lawmakers were being threatened with the defunding of their districts to force them to support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
With the impeachment proceedings expected to move to the plenary following action by the House Committee on Justice, Ridon said he expects Duterte to personally defend his sister 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],” he added.
Ridon said Duterte’s claim should be backed by evidence and raised in the proper forum instead of being aired publicly without proof.
“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 said.
He also questioned the Davao lawmaker’s absence from official proceedings, saying Congress is the proper venue to raise such concerns.
“Pangalawa, hindi rin ho namin siya nakikita sa mga plenary proceedings or committee meetings,” Ridon said.