Ridon: VP Sara’s 2028 presidential bid ‘irrelevant’ to House

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March 1, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration that she intends to run for president in 2028 is “irrelevant” to the House of Representatives’ handling of the four impeachment complaints against her, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said yesterday.

Ridon, chairman of the House committee on public accounts, dismissed speculation that Duterte’s political plans could influence lawmakers in tackling the complaints.

He said the House is “laser-focused” on determining the sufficiency in form and substance of the complaints, not on forward-looking political moves tied to the 2028 elections.

“In my view, Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration for president is irrelevant in the disposition of the House committee on justice and the House in general, specifically in her impeachment,” Ridon said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Ridon issued the statement after House members from the National Unity Party said they would likely exercise a conscience vote and wait for the evidence before making any judgment.

The remarks prompted questions on whether Duterte’s early presidential announcement had shifted the political mood in the chamber.

The House committee on justice, chaired by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, is set to begin deliberations tomorrow on four verified complaints accusing the Vice President of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery and other high crimes.

Ridon said the panel’s initial task is limited to determining sufficiency in form and substance  –  the constitutional thresholds before proceedings can move forward.

“We will deliberate it, we will vote on it on those two points next week. If this will continue towards full proceedings after determination of substance, then we will see at the end of Justice (committee) deliberation proceedings in the coming Wednesday,” Ridon said.

At the same forum, Fr. Joel Saballa, one of the complainants in the third impeachment complaint filed by religious groups, expressed confidence that their case would stand on its merits.

Saballa said that in the previous Congress, their complaint had already been deemed sufficient in form and substance and was not rejected, and that what they refiled was essentially the same.

“If the congressmen believe in what we presented last year, we will not have difficulties in getting support or votes from them because this is not politically motivated. This has substance, it has form,” Saballa said.

The complainant urged lawmakers to base their decision strictly on the merits of the complaint and not on political considerations.

“We believe that the congressmen will retain their support and vote for the substance and form and not on the political pressure and whatever kind of external pressure that they have. I hope there is none,” Saballa said.

The impeachment complaints against Duterte center on the alleged misuse and liquidation of confidential and intelligence funds, purported fabricated or insufficient documents, refusal to fully cooperate with congressional inquiries, and claims of unexplained wealth and alleged omissions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.