Sara Duterte trial: Ridon says senator-judges aren’t being influenced

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon — Screengrab from House of Representatives/Facebook MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Monday that senator-judges will decide Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case based solely on evidence, rejecting her claim that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. controls the Senate. Ridon made the pronouncement after Duterte earlier issued a statement claiming that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. controls the Senate, court judges, the police, and fiscal matters. READ: Duterte trial Day 22: PSA official to testify on CF payees’ identities Article continues after this advertisement “We have high regard for our senator-judges: We trust that they will make decisions based solely on evidence,” he said. “They are not influenced by anyone, and contrary to the Vice President’s view, they are not controlled by anyone,” he added. Duterte is currently facing the Senate impeachment court amid allegations of misusing confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats. Much like in the impeachment complaint against her, Duterte was also recently ordered arrested by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday for three counts of grave threats stemming from alleged threats she made during a November 2024 virtual press conference against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker and presidential cousin Martin Romualdez. She has since posted bail of P120,000 for each count. /mcm Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.