House Committee on Public Accounts chair Terry Ridon on Friday urged Vice President Sara Duterte to address allegations against her in a formal setting, citing a recent survey showing strong public support for a Senate impeachment trial.
Ridon said a poll conducted by Tangere found that 88 percent of respondents believe Duterte should respond to the accusations through impeachment proceedings, which he described as the proper venue for clarification rather than punishment.
“The public is asking for clear answers, not distractions,” Ridon said, adding that if the allegations are unfounded, the Vice President should address them directly in the appropriate forum.
The lawmaker pointed to issues raised during House hearings, including questions over Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), which reportedly showed no declared cash or bank deposits from 2019 to 2024. He also cited Anti-Money Laundering Council data indicating P6.77 billion in covered and suspicious transactions linked to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
“These are serious matters involving declared wealth and large financial movements,” Ridon said, noting that the scale of the transactions has heightened public demand for explanation.
He emphasized that the issue goes beyond the existence of transactions, focusing instead on their origin and magnitude. Even if funds merely passed through accounts, Ridon said, key questions remain about their source.
“The public is not looking for complicated explanations, but for clarity on what appears to be a gap between declared assets and actual financial activity,” he said.
Ridon also noted that the House inquiry is nearing completion, with the Committee on Justice expected to hold its final clarificatory hearing on April 29. He expressed hope that Duterte would attend.
The lawmaker said the survey reflects growing public demand for accountability rather than political spectacle.
“When such a large majority is calling for answers in a formal proceeding, it can no longer be ignored,” Ridon said, adding that the public expects responses grounded in official records.
He warned that failure to explain discrepancies between declared wealth and financial transactions could raise broader accountability concerns, including possible violations of public trust.