Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to submit her response by Monday to the two impeachment complaints filed against her, according to House Committee on Justice Member and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon.
“Matatapos na po yung 10 days eh, by this weekend… So hopefully by Monday, the answer will be submitted to Congress, to the House Committee on Justice,” Ridon said during a media forum on Saturday, March 14.
Duterte earlier dismissed the proceedings as a “fishing expedition,” after Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno sought subpoenas for bank statements and other documents. “The Committee cannot conduct an investigation to search for evidence to support accusations already made in the impeachment complaints. Doing so would amount to a third ‘fishing expedition’ by the House of Representatives,” she said in a March 13 statement.
Ridon rejected this claim, stressing that the process is “essentially complete” even without subpoenas. “Kasi a ‘fishing expedition’ presupposes an absolute absence of documentation before proceeding with any impeachment. Hindi po ito totoo… the impeachment proceeding against the Vice President will in fact proceed. It is essentially complete,” he said, citing confidential fund reports, Duterte’s SALN, and the affidavit of former aide Ramil Madriaga.
The next hearing is set for Wednesday, March 18, where the panel will tackle Diokno’s motion and potential conflicts of interest involving Duterte’s lawyers Reynold Munsayac and Michael Poa.
Duterte also criticized Congress for focusing on impeachment amid global tensions. “Yet the Philippine House of Representatives and the Office of the President remain preoccupied with a political nemesis who refuses to kowtow to their corrupt ways,” she said.
Ridon countered that Congress can address both accountability and economic relief. “Kaya po ka mag-undertake na economic relief at accountability measures na kongreso all at the same time,” he said, noting simultaneous discussions on suspending excess petroleum taxes. # (ZIA LUNA)
