Ridon: Senate unlikely to sustain Sara Duterte broad evidence objections

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court is unlikely to grant Vice President Sara Duterte’s broad objections to the prosecution’s formal offer of evidence, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said on Tuesday

Ridon, an impeachment prosecutor, said Duterte’s lawyers virtually objected to all evidence presented by the prosecution concerning the unexplained wealth charge, including her net worth statements, bank records, tax documents and corporate filings.

“I don’t believe the Senate impeachment court will uphold their blanket objection,” he told reporters in Filipino. “Sustaining it would mean no evidence whatsoever could be used in our trial, and I don’t think the Senate impeachment court will allow that.”

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Ridon’s comments follow claims by Duterte’s defense team that key prosecution evidence is inadmissible as some were not part of the impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate, while other documents were gathered through an “impermissible fishing expedition.”

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“This means every single document: all her SALN, bank records, insurance documents, BIR records, AMLC documents is being denied and objected to by the defense,” he said in Filipino.

Ridon questioned the sweeping objection, noting that Duterte’s lawyers questioned witnesses who authenticated and explained the prosecution’s evidence.

“In my view, all the evidence we have seen has already been subjected to cross-examination. They actively participated in the process,” he said. “It’s almost laughable that they filed a blanket objection against every single piece of evidence submitted by the prosecution.” 

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Though Ridon acknowledged that the Senate would decide on the defense team’s evidentiary objection, with prosecutors awaiting on the ruling once Duterte’s trial resumes on Nov. 9.

“We will leave it to the Senate impeachment court to make a determination on all of the pieces of evidence,” he said.