A lawmaker questioned what he described as an inconsistent legal position taken by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it cannot both challenge the impeachment process before the courts and signal readiness to take part in the same proceedings.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the Vice President’s legal team appears to be sending conflicting signals by filing a petition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines while at the same time preparing for a possible trial in the Senate of the Philippines acting as an impeachment court.
According to Ridon, the contradiction becomes more pronounced because the petition itself names institutions involved in the impeachment process, including the Senate. He argued that participating in proceedings while questioning their legality could be viewed as a bad-faith legal stance unless the petition is withdrawn.
The lawmaker urged Duterte’s camp to clarify its position, saying accountability proceedings should be addressed directly rather than contested through parallel legal actions.
Ridon maintained that the issue has already moved beyond determining whether there is a case, pointing out that the House Committee on Justice has found probable cause to impeach the Vice President. He said the matter is now poised for trial, where evidence will be tested.
He cited documents and findings from agencies such as the Commission on Audit, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and National Bureau of Investigation as forming the basis of the impeachment case. These include allegations involving the use of confidential funds, financial transactions flagged by regulators, and public statements that have drawn scrutiny.
Ridon also pushed back against claims from Duterte’s camp that certain pieces of evidence, including video materials, were manipulated. He said investigators have already authenticated the recordings, describing them as original files preserved and verified through official processes.
Instead of discrediting the evidence, the lawmaker said the defense should directly address the allegations during trial. He warned that continued attacks against Congress and its committees risk undermining constitutional institutions tasked with determining accountability.
Ridon added that impeachment is a legal process that must be resolved in a formal trial, not in public statements or media exchanges. He called on Duterte’s camp to focus on presenting its defense once the proceedings move to the Senate.
The Articles of Impeachment are expected to be transmitted to the upper chamber, where senators will convene as an impeachment court to hear the case.