Possible for VP Duterte to be invited to House flood control projects probe, says Ridon
At A Glance
- Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon says its possible for Vice President Sara Duterte to be invited to the House of Representatives' inquiry on alleged anomalous flood control projects or infrastructure projects in general.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (PPAB)
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon says its possible for Vice President Sara Duterte to be invited to the House of Representatives' inquiry on alleged anomalous flood control projects or infrastructure projects in general.
This, after Vice President Duterte--a critic of the House and of the Marcos administration--alleged that a handful of congressmen were dividing among themselves the funds meant for the people.
"Well if she has information on these particular projects at sino mga sangkot (and who are involved), she's free to attend the House infra comm if related to the flood control projects, infrastructure projects," Ridon said in a press conference Thursday, Aug. 21.
"Kasi mabigat po na akusasyon yun eh, na pinagpaparte-partehan po yung pondo ng bayan (Because this is a hefty accusation, to say that public funds are being plundered)," he added.
The House infra comm is the newly-formed tri-comm that is tasked to look into these flood control projects. The joint panel is composed of Ridon's Committee on Public Accounts, plus the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and the Committee on Public Works and Highways.
Asked if the Vice President would be invited formally to the prooceedings, Ridon said, "Well, if she has actual information na talaga hong she can say na this particular person, receiving kickbacks. So she can he invited to the House inquiry."
However, he was quick to mention the caveat.
"Pero (But) it needs to be personal knowledge, hindi ho ba? (Right?) Kasi (Because) she will have to do it under oath," the lawyer-legislator said.
When asked what would happen if the lady official refused to take an oath in the House hearing, Ridon simply answered, "People have to take oath."
It can be recalled that Vice President Duterte refused to take an oath in September 2024 during a hearing of the good government panel. The hearing centered on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) usage of confidential funds.