House Infrastructure Committee Chairman and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Monday rejected claims that the ongoing impeachment moves against top government officials amount to ”excessive politicking.”
In an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Ridon explained that excessive politics should not be mixed with or take precedence over the issue of accountability, noting that congressional oversight and accountability are constitutional duties of the legislature.
He added that if Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. truly need to be held accountable, then they should be, as this is a core function of Congress.
“Hindi naman totoo ang sobrang pulitika kasi ang totoo naman bahagi talaga ng trabaho ng Kongreso ang pagpapanagot po ng matataas na opisyal,” Ridon said.
Responding to concerns that political infighting is already hurting the economy, Ridon emphasized that accountability mechanisms should not be framed as political clashes.
According to him, issues such as the alleged misuse of confidential funds must be addressed squarely, regardless of who is involved.
“Kung talaga kailangan panagutin si Vice President Sara Duterte dito, dapat po siya panagutin,” the lawmaker said.
He added: “Sa kabilang banda, kung ang pagtingin ng mga tao dapat hindi ginagawa ang unprogrammed operations, dapat kung mapanagot din si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dito.”
Ridon stressed that Congress and the Senate will ultimately decide whether impeachable officials bear responsibility for the allegations against them.
“‘Wag po natin pagbanggain ang usapin ng pulitika–sobrang pulitika at ang usapin po ng pagpapanagot dahil sa dulo-dulo naman ho Kongreso at Senado ang magpapasya kung talaga bang may pananagutan ito pong mga impeachable officers po natin,” he added.
When asked whether such matters should simply be left to the Office of the Ombudsman, Ridon clarified that while the Ombudsman has its own authority, Congress has a separate constitutional role.
“May sarili pong poder ang Ombudsman. Kaya nga may nag-file ng mga kaso halimbawa kay Vice President Sara Duterte for plunder and for other criminal offenses. Pero papabayaan natin na gumulong ang bagay na ‘yan sa Ombudsman,” he said.
However, Ridon underscored that impeachment complaints fall squarely within Congress’ jurisdiction.
