Chairperson for the House Committee on Public Accounts and Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon responded to Senator Imee Marcos’ statement on leadership change.
In a press briefing on Friday, August 8, Ridon commented on Sen. Marcos’ remark about the House of Representatives acting as a “Supremer Court,” concerning Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.
“Sa dulo’t dulo ang magpapasya kung sinoman ‘yong magpapalit sa liderato ng House of Representatives ay ang mga miyembro po ng Kongreso mismo. Hindi ang mga senador, hindi kapatid ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” he clarified.
“Ibig sabihin, kung mayroong batayan para magkaroon ng palitan, mangyayari po ito batay sa pagpapasya ng mga miyembro po ng House of Representatives,” he added.
Under the same leadership, Ridon emphasized Congress’ various accomplishments, highlighting the landmark laws passed by its members. More importantly, however, is how the members of the House of Representatives shepherd the filing of the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
“Ito po yung Kongreso na talaga pong nag shepherd nito pong impeachment ni Vice President Sara Duterte at up until the final moment dito po sa usapin ng archiving ng impeachment complaint,” Ridon explained.
“‘Yung mismong liderato po, [House] Speaker Martin Romualdez, ay naninindigan na walang pagkakamali [at] tuloy ang laban sa usapin po ng katotohanan at accountability po sa usapin pong ito,” he said.
Sen. Marcos on Wednesday, August 6, criticized Congress and called out lawmakers for not respecting the Supreme Court (SC). She also encouraged lawmakers to move on and not tolerate the so-called “spoiled bondying” solon.
Near the end of her privilege speech, Sen. Marcos suggested replacing an official voted for by the congressmen.
The presidential sister, taking a satirical hit at the House Speaker, said, “Ayaw paawat ng iba sa kakaflex! Ano kaya kung ang Speaker niyo na lang ang palitan niyo? KAYA NIYO 'YAN! At dahil dito, bumoboto ako ng malakas na OO!”
On Wednesday evening, the Senate archived the Articles of Impeachment against VP Duterte, with 19 affirmative votes, four negative votes, and one abstention.
