Lawmaker Predicts Acosta Jail Time, Calls for Duterte Investigation

MANILA — Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon said Monday that former special disbursing officer Gina Acosta faces certain imprisonment following her admissions during ongoing impeachment proceedings. Speaking on the sidelines of the trial, Ridon argued that if Acosta's testimony warrants criminal charges, similar scrutiny should extend to Vice President Sara Duterte. The lawmaker's remarks underscore growing calls from opposition figures for broader accountability in what appears to be a widening investigation into financial irregularities. Acosta's statements before the impeachment court have reportedly detailed transactions and decisions that legal experts suggest could form the basis for criminal prosecution. Ridon's comments reflect the increasingly contentious political atmosphere surrounding the impeachment proceedings, with lawmakers divided over the scope and implications of the inquiry. The case has drawn significant public attention as it involves high-level government officials and raises questions about fiscal management and administrative responsibility within the executive branch.