Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday once again denied allegations made by the so-called 18 former “Marines” that he received a suitcase allegedly containing cash linked to anomalous flood control projects.
The solon was among several lawmakers named by the group in an affidavit presented during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee proceedings on June 4.
However, Ridon said his name was not originally included and appeared only later in the account.
“I was never mentioned in that affidavit, at parang hinabol na lang yung pangalan ko during that meeting with the 18 Marines,” Ridon said during a Saturday News Forum on June 6.
“Kahit kailan, kahit saang panahon, kahit saan mang lugar, wala po akong natanggap na maleta,” he added.
Ridon, a member of the House impeachment prosecution panel, said the accusations surfaced during the continuation of the panel's inquiry into flood control scandal.
Despite what he described as “slander” being hurled against them, the lawmaker stressed that he and other members of the House prosecution team would continue their work in connection with the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“At hindi ho makakapigil yung ganitong slander laban sa House Prosecution Panel sa pagtutuloy sa paglalantad ng katotohanan sa Senate impeachment court proceedings,” he said.
To counter kickback allegations made by alleged former Marine officers, Ridon presented a suitcase to the media, saying it contained “mangga at peluka,” (mangoes and wigs) not money.
“Para tapusin na yung kasinungalingan sa maleta, mayroon tayong dalang maleta ngayong araw na ito. Hindi ho lahat ng maleta may pera, mga kaibigan. ‘Yung iba po, may mangga at peluka,” he said.
Ridon maintained that the allegations were “fabricated” and said they would not “deter“ the House prosecution panel from continuing its work in the impeachment proceedings.
“The House and the House Prosecution Panel will not be deterred. Hindi po kami magpapapigil sa mga kasinungalingan at mga fabricated testimonies po ng kung sino man,“ he said.
He added that the prosecution panel is set to present all evidence, including reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and video documentation of alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made by the Vice President.
“Tuloy po ang impeachment trial... Ang usapin po ay ang pagpapanagot sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Wala pong iba,“ Ridon emphasized.
