Prosecution Panel Challenges VP Sara Duterte to Appear at Impeachment Trial

Following Vice President Sara Duterte's dismissal of the impeachment complaints lodged against her as baseless, House impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon on Saturday challenged her to show up at her own trial. Ridon thumbed down Duterte’s accusations, stating that the reason a trial is taking place is because there is enough basis. "It is not true that there is no evidence presented," Ridon said at the Saturday News Forum. "It is funny for a high-ranking, elected official to say that she does not trust a court of the Philippines. So as a last word, this is a challenge to the Vice President, show up on Monday. We will lay out your family’s unexplained wealth," he added. Ridon argued that if Duterte could appear for her grave threats case at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, she could also show up at the impeachment trial. GMA News Online contacted Duterte's spokesperson Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. for comment, but he has yet to issue a statement as of posting time. On Monday, the prosecution will present evidence on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. Witnesses will include retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Ombudsman Records Division Officer-in-Charge Atty. Karen Batu, and Securities and Exchange Commission Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Atty. Gerardo del Rosario. The prosecution has previously forfeited presenting 15 other witnesses, wanting Duterte herself to take up the witness stand.