Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon is confident that his face-off with the defense team of impeachment respondent Vice President Sara Duterte will happen sooner than later.

This, as the House Committee on Justice is set to hold its final hearing on the determination of probable cause in the two active impeachment complaints against the Vice President on April 29.

If and when Ridon and the rest of the justice committee vote to declare the existence of probable cause in the complaints, the matter would be endorsed to the plenary, which would then be confronted with the choice of adopting the panel's decision or not.

A plenary adoption means Vice President Duterte is impeached for the second time in as many years, and it's off to the Senate for her impeachment trial.

"See you with the Vice President at the last House impeachment hearing, or at the Senate impeachment trial," Ridon said in a message directed as the respondent's lawyers.

"Doon tayo magtutuos (We will settle score there)," the lawyer-legislator added rather ominously.

Ridon added: "Tama na ang daldal, magpakita kayo ( The time for talk is over, show yourselves)."

Duterte, the second highest official of the land, has no-showed the probable cause hearings last March 25, April 14, and April 22. Thus, she has refused to defend herself during the hearings or even directly answer the serious allegations against her, despite the open invitation.

One of her counsels and spokesperson, lawyer Michael Poa, said in a press conference Thursday, April 23 that the Vice President declared all her assets—including cash and bank deposits—in her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

However, instead of listing them as a separate line item, they were placed under the vague catch-all category of "others."

For Ridon, the appropriate forum to put the allegations of misused confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats to rest is not social media—but in the impeachment proceedings themselves.

Whether she appears before the House of Representatives on the 29th or at the Senate, should the case go to trial, the Ridon believes this is where true accountability will be upheld.

Justice panel chairperson, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said that the Vice President’s alleged death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez will be tackled during the final scheduled hearing.

Specifically, the proceedings will delve into the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe and documentary evidence on the alleged death threats Duterte made in November 2024.

“We are inclined to proceed to the presentation of evidence in support of the allegations of threat. As a matter of fact, yesterday (Wednesday), nag-issue tayo ng subpoena (we issued a subpoena) to the NBI, as well as duces tecum to bring all digital and documentary evidence pertaining to the allegations of threat,” Luistro told ANC Headstart.

Like the previous hearings, the one on alleged grave threats will also be clarificatory in nature. The chairperson confirmed that the panel would move on to the crucial vote after the scheduled discussion.

“So we anticipate [that] at the end of the hearing on April 29, the justice members will proceed to vote on the determination of probable cause,” Luistro said.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin has welcomed indications that the Senate is preparing early for the possible transmittal of the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte.

Her statement came after Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Senate may be able to convene as an impeachment court by May 4 upon receipt of the articles of impeachment from the House, with a full trial possibly beginning about two weeks later.

“We appreciate Senate President Tito Sotto’s foresight and the seriousness with which he is approaching this process,” Garin said. “Preparations at this stage help ensure that our institutions are ready to carry out their respective roles under the Constitution.”

May 4 is also the resumption of sessions in both chambers of Congress after the lengthy summer break.