House prosecutor insists senator-judges will decide Duterte case fairly

MANILA — House prosecutor and Bicol party-list representative Terry Ridon dismissed concerns Monday that the Senate is biased in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case, stating that the senator-judges will render their verdict based exclusively on the evidence presented before them.

Ridon's statement came after Duterte claimed that President Marcos Jr. wields undue influence over the upper chamber. The House official pushed back against the allegation, asserting that the integrity of the proceedings would not be compromised by external pressure.

"The senator-judges will decide based on the evidence," Ridon said, emphasizing the independence of the Senate in its judicial capacity. The remarks underscore the growing tensions surrounding the high-profile impeachment proceedings, which center on allegations against the Vice President.

The case marks a significant political development in the Philippines, with competing claims over the impartiality of the Senate trial process. As the proceedings continue, both prosecution and defense camps have sought to shape public perception of how the case will be adjudicated.