House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon on Friday, August 21, defended the pace and conduct of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, rejecting criticisms that the proceedings are being slowed down by a lack of control from the presiding officer or by the presentation of allegedly “worthless” witnesses.
Ridon made the statement during the House prosecution panel’s press conference in response to calls for a speedy trial and criticisms reportedly raised by former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Addressing the claim that the presiding officer has insufficient control over the proceedings, Ridon said the trial has been conducted fairly, with both the prosecution and defense being given sufficient opportunities to present their arguments and raise objections.
“Pangalawa, tingin ko naman ho, naging very fair ang ating presiding officer dito po sa kanya pong pagpapatakbo. Ano ito pong paglilitis po na ito?” Ridon said.
He also dismissed criticisms against the prosecution’s witnesses, saying they are being presented to establish different aspects of the allegations against Duterte.
According to Ridon, witnesses presented in connection with the alleged misuse of confidential funds have helped establish different facets of the issue, including findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) and testimonies from personnel of the Office of the Vice President.
“And yung prosecution witnesses, tingin ko, in most parts, na ipapakita po talaga nila yung iba't ibang facets,” Ridon said.
“For example, dito sa Confidential funds misuse, yung facets ng misuse. So nakita natin yun doon sa COA, nakikita po natin ngayon ito sa OVP personnel, and makikita po natin ito pong iba pang facets na ito doon sa NBI, PSA, at iba pang mga nakataktang ilatag na mga testigo sa susunod pong mga araw at mga linggo,” he added.
Ridon likewise pointed to the prosecution’s presentation of witnesses concerning the alleged threats, noting that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had presented witnesses at different levels to support its evidence.
“So, tingin ko, we are very much confident doon po sa pagkakapresenta ng aming mga testigo and we are expecting the same until the very end,” he said.
On concerns that the presiding officer is not exercising enough control over the proceedings, Ridon reiterated that both sides should be allowed to fully present their respective cases.
He said the oral arguments of the prosecution and defense, as well as questions raised by the senator-judges, remain important in determining the facts and reaching the truth.
“Tingin ko naman yung oral arguments ng magkabilang panig at yung mga pagtatanong ng mga senator judges, relevant po ito eh. To get to the truth,” Ridon said.
Ridon also cautioned against rushing the impeachment proceedings, emphasizing that the prosecution, defense, and senator-judges should be given adequate time to perform their respective roles.
“So, dapat hindi rin natin ito minamadali. We should allow all the parties, prosecution, defense, and even the senator-judges to be able to state their case and to state their thoughts during the course of the proceedings,” he said.
The House prosecution panel maintains that the impeachment trial should proceed comprehensively, with evidence and testimony from both sides given due consideration before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, ultimately determines the case.
