HOUSE prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has brushed aside allegations of a conflict of interest raised by Vice President Sara Duterte, challenging the claim during a press briefing at the Senate on Tuesday.
The exchange unfolded on the 33rd day of the Vice President’s ongoing impeachment trial.
Earlier, Duterte held a press conference in Davao City, pointing out that Ridon—who leads Article II concerning unexplained wealth—previously served as a consultant for the Davao City government between 2018 and 2020.
Duterte alleged that Ridon approached the local government for work and questioned his deliverables during his tenure.
Responding to the assertions, Ridon admitted to the past engagement but maintained there was no ethical breach or conflict.
He clarified that he did not solicit the position, noting that he was approached by one of Duterte’s advisers to provide policy consultancy services on poverty alleviation.
“I previously provided policy consultancy services to the City Government of Davao… I was never a personal adviser to then-Mayor Sara Duterte. The engagement had nothing to do with the matters now before the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon stated.
Addressing allegations regarding missing reports and compensation, Ridon countered that all required deliverables were duly submitted and that the consultancy was never flagged or subjected to any audit disallowance by the Commission on Audit over the past six years.
He added that his current mandate as an impeachment prosecutor is entirely separate from his previous advisory role.
“My responsibility today is different and clear: as a prosecutor, I will present the evidence before the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon said, emphasizing that the prosecution panel remains fully focused on exposing unexplained wealth and will not be derailed by personal attacks.